By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental is the only province in the Visayas which was placed under the drought category, based on the latest data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) released on Thursday, February 29.

Pagasa placed several provinces in the country under a drought category, experiencing three-consecutive months of way-below normal rainfall.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau identified areas under a dry spell category, which will experience three consecutive months of below-normal rainfall conditions.

These provinces were Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Biliran, Cebu, parts of Eastern Samar, Leyte, and Negros Oriental.

The ongoing drought conditions in Negros Occidental have already damaged P55.41 million worth of crops.

Despite the damage, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the proposal to place the province under a “state of calamity” should be carefully studied.

He said it is still too early to make a decision, as it will depend on how long the effects of the dry spell will last.

However, he emphasized that El Niño should not be underestimated, as it could cause significant damage to crops./DGB, WDJ