By JEN BAYLON
The El Niño phenomenon has caused severe damage to agriculture in Negros Occidental, with losses reaching P115.2 million.
The latest report from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist released on Wednesday, April 10, showed that 22 local government units in the province have been affected by the dry spell.
The severe weather conditions have affected 3,312 farmers and 2,737 hectares of cultivated land, with rice and corn fields suffering losses worth P110.4 million and P4.7 million, respectively.
Kabankalan City was the hardest-hit, as the local government unit recorded P41.9 million in agricultural damage.
It is followed by Cauayan town (P14 million), Candoni town (P10.3 million), Bago City (P8.2 million), Ilog town (P7.4 million), Himamaylan City (P3.7 million), San Enrique town (P3.5 million), Valladolid town (P3.4 million), E.B. Magalona town (P2.5 million), Hinoba-an town (P2.5 million), San Carlos City (P2.3 million), Hinigaran town (P1.7 million), and Sipalay City (P1.6 million).
Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced that the provincial government is processing financial aid for affected farmers in the province.
The assistance aims to provide support to farmers whose crops have been damaged due to the adverse effects of El Niño.
State of calamity
San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo said the local government unit is considering declaring a state of calamity in the city.
“On Monday, April 15, mabal-an [naton] whether mapaidalum sa state of calamity ang syudad sang San Carlos ukon indi,” Gustilo said.
They are conducting assessments on agricultural damage caused by drought in the city.
Gustilo said agricultural losses have already reached millions of pesos.
“Subong nagapa-assess pa ako. May mga damage nga natabo sa aton bangud sa drought,” he said.
Gustilo will be having a meeting with the City Agriculture’s Office on Saturday, April 13, to discuss the situation further.
The drought’s impact on crops, including rice and corn, has been severe.
“May partial list naman kita nga ginhatag sa province naton. Indi man gid siya tam-an pa kadako, pero naapektuhan gid ang farmers ta,” Gustilo said.
There has been a need for water rationing in certain areas.
“May mga certain areas nga may potable water rationing na kasubong sang isa ka island sa San Carlos. Apang sa syudad, wala pa bangud may ginkuhaan pa man tubig diri,” Gustilo said./JB, WDJ