BACOLOD CITY -- Rice production losses in Negros Occidental increased to PHP4.862 million as of Wednesday afternoon, based on data released by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
The losses, brought about by monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon Ompong from September 14 to 18, were reported by the cities of San Carlos, Cadiz and Bago, and the town of Moises Padilla.
On Monday, initial losses were pegged at more than PHP3.9 million.
A total of 761 farmers were affected in the four localities, with almost 800 hectares in rice plantations.
In the northern city of San Carlos, estimated crop damage and production losses reached PHP2.1 million.
Affected were 646 farmers in six villages planting in almost 680 hectares of rice fields.
Also in the north, Cadiz reported PHP1.474 million in total losses, covering 55 farmers in four barangays with 54 hectares of rice farms.
In the south, Bago City, dubbed the rice bowl of Negros Occidental for its vast rice fields, incurred total losses of PHP1.264 million, from an initial PHP192,240 on Monday.
Around 57 farmers, planting in 64 hectares in the city's seven villages, were affected. (PNA)
