DRY SPELL. A rice field hit by the dry spell in southern Negros Occidental in this photo taken last month. On Wednesday (Feb. 28, 2024), data of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist showed damage to crops in the province has already reached PHP55.412 million. (Photo courtesy of OPA Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental provincial government has allotted funds to mitigate the effects of the dry spell due to the El Niño weather phenomenon as damage to crops in the province reached PHP55.412 million as of Feb. 26.
A report released by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) on Wednesday showed the damage to rice crops alone was pegged at PHP55.255 million, and PHP157,852 to corn plantations.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said in an interview on Wednesday that the OPA is now identifying the rice farmers who are qualified to receive cash assistance.
“These are those planting up to three hectares. They will receive assistance for daily subsistence,” he said.
Lacson said rainfed farms, or those that rely mainly on rainfall for water, are the worst-hit while irrigated rice lands are still expected to continue production despite the dry spell.
He said the provincial government also has a budget of PHP400,000 for cloudseeding.
“I still have to hear from the Department of Agriculture on the availability of resources for cloudseeding, but we have set aside a certain amount,” he added.
The OPA report showed that the dry spell affected 1,057.54 hectares of rice fields in 10 local government units.
Kabankalan City recorded an estimated damage of PHP22.834 million affecting 504 farmers; Cauayan town – PHP14.001 million, 197 farmers; Ilog – PHP7.487 million, 110 farmers; Himamaylan City – PHP3.732 million, 110 farmers; Hinoba-an town – PHP2.525 million, 178 farmers; Hinigaran town – PHP1.751 million, 51 farmers; Sipalay City, PHP1.623 million, 38 farmers; Binalbagan town – PHP513,360, seven farmers; Moises Padilla town – PHP450,897, nine farmers; and Isabela town, PHP334,800, one farmer.
Earlier this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in a report that Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, is seen to experience drought from the end of February to May this year.
A dry spell situation is characterized by below-normal rainfall conditions for three consecutive months while drought is characterized by a rainfall condition below normal for five consecutive months. (PNA)
