By JEN BAYLON

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Western Visayas (RDRRMC-6) has issued a blue alert status due to the impact of the El Niño phenomenon in the region.

Raul Fernandez, RDRRMC-6 chairperson and Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD-6) director, said under blue alert, they are aiming to facilitate monitoring and coordination efforts to mitigate the effects of El Niño.

Fernandez urges all stakeholders, local government agencies and the public to remain vigilant and cooperate in managing the effects of the weather phenomenon.

According to OCD-6, various local government agencies are on standby and prepared for emergency response and humanitarian assistance in any potential situations that may arise.

Earlier, the Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported that the agricultural damage due to the dry spell caused by El Niño in the province has reached P184.7 million.

Among the hardest-hit local government units include Cauayan town, Kabankalan City and Himamaylan City.

The drought has affected 4,739 farmers from 178 barangays across 25 local government units in the province.

Currently, the provincial government is not considering declaring a state of calamity.

However, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said they are processing financial assistance for farmers whose crops have been damaged due to the severe weather conditions./JB, WDJ