Atok farmers prepared as frost returns to highland farms
BAGUIO CITY – Farmers in Atok, Benguet are well-equipped to deal with frost, a seasonal occurrence that has long been integrated into local agricultural practices, Mayor Franklin Smith said on Tuesday.
In a radio interview, Smith emphasized that frost is not a new challenge for Atok’s farming communities and that farmers have developed effective ways to protect their crops from damage.
“Our farmers already know what to do to ensure their crops are not destroyed by frost. This has been happening for a long time, so they have learned how to manage the situation,” Smith said.
One of the commonly used methods, he explained, is early-morning watering. Farmers spray water on plants before sunrise to melt the frost that forms on leaves and vegetables.
“They irrigate early, before the sun rises, so the ice clinging to the crops melts. This has long been their solution to the frost problem,” the mayor added.
Frost forms when temperatures drop sharply, similar to conditions recorded this week when early morning temperatures in Atok fell below 10 degrees Celsius. The town is typically four to five degrees cooler than Baguio City.
Data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) showed that Baguio’s lowest temperature this season was 14.2 degrees Celsius, recorded on December 29. PAGASA forecasts temperatures in Baguio to range from 15 to 24 degrees Celsius on December 30, 2025, and earlier noted that single-digit temperatures may occur from January to February 2026 due to the northeast monsoon, or amihan.
Smith clarified that while Atok is predominantly agricultural, frost usually affects only a few high-elevation sitios and not the entire municipality.
Local farmer PJ Haight shared in a social media post that frost began appearing shortly after Christmas, affecting around a hectare of vegetable farms, including nearby plots.
“This is an annual phenomenon that we have learned to live with,” Haight said.
Aida Pagtan, head of the Finance and Administrative Division of the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera, said the agency has previously provided hoses to assist farmers in watering crops to counter frost. She added that pump irrigation systems have also been distributed to farms with accessible open water sources.
Smith commended the resilience and dedication of Atok’s farmers, stressing their role in maintaining food supply despite natural challenges.
“I salute our farmers. Their dedication to feeding Filipinos is unquestionable,” he said, noting that Cordillera farmers continuously adapt to frost, typhoons, and other calamities.
“After every rain or disaster, they go back to their farms to check on their crops. They don’t wait for outside help because they know their survival depends on keeping their plants alive,” Smith added.
NPO News Team | DAPO-PR
