By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported P3.2 million worth of crop damage following Tropical Storm Urduja.

OPA head Japhet Masculino said rice plantations suffered the most damage, noting P2.85 million in San Carlos City alone.

He added, affected farms in San Carlos City were already in ripening stage; however, in Cadiz City, where P320,000 worth of crops lost to the storm, production is still salvageable as crops were still in a vegetative stage, or prior to the point where seeds begin to grow.

Masculino pointed out, figures could still increase as field assessments and validations are ongoing./DGB, WDJ