(File photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist)
BACOLOD CITY – Rice and corn farmers in Negros Occidental reported damage to crops totaling PHP197.153 million due to prolonged dry weather caused by El Niño, a report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) on Friday showed.
Damage to rice alone reached PHP192.208 million in 25 local government units (LGUs) while damage to corn was PHP4.944 million in six others.
Drought hit 3,623.63 hectares of rice crops tilled by 4,944 farmers, the report added.
Worst-hit is Cauayan town, which incurred PHP66.139 million in damage to rice crops, followed by Kabankalan City with PHP41.9 million.
Other LGUs with the highest reported damage to rice are Himamaylan City, PHP13.499 million; Candoni, PHP10.3 million; Valladolid, PHP9.303 million; Bago City, PHP8.223 million; Ilog, PHP7.49 million; San Carlos City, PHP5.832 million; San Enrique, PHP5.349 million; and La Castellana, PHP3.135 million.
Earlier, Kabankalan City and San Enrique town were placed under a state of calamity, which allows them to swiftly access emergency funds and resources, particularly the Quick Response Fund, to supplement local funds for emergency relief and rehabilitation efforts.
“The reports from all local government units have been validated by all municipal and city agricultural offices, and OPA personnel as of April 24,” Dina Genzola, officer-in-charge provincial agriculturist, said in a statement. (PNA)
