By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial government is readying financial assistance for farmers affected by the El Niño phenomenon.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he instructed provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz to look for a fund source for the aid.

Lacson has also set the parameters to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist for a list of beneficiaries.

He added that the dry spell may affect more localities in the province.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Negros Occidental, including its capital Bacolod City, will continue to experience dry spells until May.

Three consecutive months of below-normal rainfall conditions will be considered drought, Pagasa explained.

Earlier, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported that the damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon in Negros Occidental has now reached P12.8 million.

The number of affected localities has also risen to seven, as 346 hectares of rice fields and 373 farmers across 36 villages are affected./DGB, WDJ