By JEN BAYLON

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is pushing for the immediate release of cash assistance to farmers affected by drought in the province.

Lacson said it is the process that is slowing down the release of aid.

The list of farmer-beneficiaries is now under validation process by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“They are very careful with the release,” Lacson said.

The provincial government has pledged to provide P2,000 in cash assistance for each farmer affected by drought due to the El Niño phenomenon.

The dry spell has affected 2,585 farmers and 2,189 hectares of farmland in 136 barangays across 20 local government units in the province.

The damage to rice fields amounted to P93,059,227.56, while corn crops suffered P4,737,809.89 in losses./JB, WDJ