By JEN BAYLON

Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City was placed under a state of calamity after incurring P17 million in agricultural damage due to the El Niño phenomenon.

San Carlos Mayor Rene Gustilo, who also serves as the chairman of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), in a resolution, recommended the declaration of a state of calamity in the locality due to the “devastating and widespread” effects of the dry spell.

“To hasten the coordination and mobilization of resources aimed at prioritizing immediate response and early recovery efforts to the affected populace, the CDRRMC necessitates the declaration of a state of calamity,” it said.

The resolution was unanimously approved during a special session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) on Monday, May 6.

During the SP session, the City Agriculture’s Office reported that agricultural damage has now reached P17,681,328.50, affecting 518 farmers cultivating 375 hectares of farmland.

Joe Recalex Alingasa, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the SP concurred with the CDRRMC’s recommendation during the special session.

Alingasa said the city government is still looking at how much they can utilize from the quick response fund.

San Carlos City is the third local government unit in Negros Occidental to be placed under a state of calamity, after Kabankalan City and San Enrique town.

The localities are allowed to access emergency funds, especially quick response funds, to augment local funds for rehabilitation efforts.

The latest OPA report as of May 3, showed agricultural damage due to drought caused by El Niño in the province has now reached P214 million.

The damage to rice crops is now at P206,336,070, while losses to corn crops have reached P5,814,191./JB, WDJ