By CESAR JOLITO III

The Negros Occidental Provincial Agriculture Office (OPA) is preparing mitigation measures to address the anticipated impact of the looming El Niño phenomenon as local authorities begin assessing damage caused by prolonged extreme heat.

Provincial agriculturist Dr. Dina Genzola said the OPA is coordinating with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and other concerned agencies to consolidate reports from local government units (LGUs) on crop damage and agricultural losses linked to rising temperatures.

Genzola noted that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson already has intervention plans in place, which will be rolled out once LGUs submit verified data on the extent of damage.

The preparation comes as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has issued an alert for El Niño, forecasting its onset between June and August, with possible persistence until the first quarter of 2027.

OPA is urging LGUs to expedite their assessments to ensure timely implementation of assistance and mitigation programs for affected farmers./CJ, WDJ