According to Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Remelyn Recoter, all provinces of the Western Visayas are at 100 percent rice sufficiency, except for Negros Occidental and Aklan, which are slightly behind at 90 percent.

She noted, the region produced 2.2 million metric tons of the crop last year, which comprises 12 to 13 percent of the country’s total production.

Last week, it was reported Bago City suffered a recent decrease in rice production with Mayor Nicholas Yulo blaming the situation on heavy rains experienced throughout the region.

Although, the mayor said, while he cannot specify the exact amount in losses, it is “not that much.”

In addition, a report by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist found Tropical Storm Basyang, which struck the region earlier this month, contributed to losses in rice crops across the province, with San Carlos City reporting the most, estimating a total P1,890,300 in losses./PLL, WDJ