By JEN BAYLON

Negros Occidental is grappling with severe damage to corn fields due to widespread armyworm infestations.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported that armyworm infestations have wreaked havoc on corn farms across 11 local government units (LGUs), causing estimated damage at P38.074 million as of July 31.

The armyworms have infested 2,504.60 hectares of corn fields, and affected 3,961 farmers in 77 barangays, OPA said.

Among the hardest hit LGU is San Carlos City, which reported damage worth P9.465 million, affecting 663.38 hectares of corn and 852 farmers in nine barangays.

Calatrava town has also suffered significant damage, with losses reaching P7.084 million, affecting 334.72 hectares and 384 farmers in 13 barangays.

La Castellana town follows with P4.439 million in damage, affecting 155.54 hectares and 358 farmers in seven barangays.

Himamaylan City has incurred P3.772 million in losses across 243.18 hectares, affecting 449 farmers in 11 villages.

Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson addressed the armyworm infestation yesterday, as he highlighted the severity of the problem.

“The armyworms have found ample food due to the favorable weather, which has promoted the growth of grasses,” he said.

Lacson also noted that a budget of P3 million has been allocated to combat the infestation.

“The budget has already been bid out, and we are just waiting for the delivery of the winning bidder. There was only one bidder,” Lacson explained.

“With this budget, we aim to accelerate the treatment against armyworms using pesticides,” he added.

The provincial government is working urgently to address the infestation and support affected farmers as they recover from the significant crop losses./JB, WDJ