By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Negros Occidental Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino recently revealed no crop damages have been reported as a result of the ongoing summer heat.

He affirmed, farmers are aware of the ongoing advisories regarding the heat and said they will not be planting new crops without a guaranteed source of water.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration earlier cautioned the public over the high summer heat. Measurements by the Western Visayas weather bureau, which includes the entirety of Negros, reported the heat index running between 39 to 41 degrees celsius, which is considered “dangerous.”

Meanwhile, Masculino said there may be changes to plans by the Department of Agriculture to establish ‘bigas ng masa’ in the province.

Negros Occidental was earlier selected as the pilot area for rural program, which intends to sell commercial rice for less than P40 per kilogram./JSG, WDJ