By Jen Baylon
The Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD-6) reported that Negros Occidental has been spared from water scarcity despite the sweltering heat.
Cindy Ferrer, OCD-6 information officer, affirmed that water levels in dams across the province remain within normal range, indicating an ample supply for residents.
However, Ferrer said Himamaylan City experienced water shortages in January this year, affecting around 30,825 residents due to the drying up of deep wells in Barangays 3, Carabalan, Su-ay, Buenavista, Caradio-an, Nabali-an, Mambagaton, and Talaban.
The city government initiated assistance by rationing potable water for affected residents.
The OCD-6, in cooperation with the provincial government, conducted an assessment on crop damage due to the dry spell in Negros Occidental.
Proactive measures and communal support remain essential in safeguarding access to water supply and sustaining the well-being of residents.
P55-M agri damage
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental recorded damage amounting to P55,088,956.24 in the agriculture sector due to the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, the latest data from OCD-6 showed.
The province ranked third in Western Visayas in terms of agricultural damage brought by the dry spell.
Ferrer said Iloilo province has the highest reported damage, reaching P513,532,029.50, followed by Antique (P125,288,665.50); Aklan (P30,187,159.32); and Capiz (P2,702,000).
The OCD-6 has yet to receive reports on agricultural damage from Guimaras.
The crops most affected include rice, corn and high-value crops.
During coordinated assessments by OCD-6 with local government units, unaffected cities and municipalities were urged to extend assistance to localities affected by El Niño to mitigate their losses in agricultural areas.
Monitoring efforts continue to track the escalating damage caused by El Niño in Western Visayas.
The rising damage on agriculture underscores the urgent need for intervention and support to help farmers and communities cope with the repercussions of the prolonged dry spell./JB, WDJ