A total of 11,351 hectares of rice production areas in the Negros Island Region (NIR) have been identified as susceptible to drought, a Department of Agriculture – Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) advisory said Wednesday, Sept.9.
DA-NIR Regional Executive Director Engr. Jose Albert A. Barrogo urged rice farmers, Local Government Units (LGUs), and agricultural stakeholders to take proactive measures to prepare for potential dry spells brought by the El Niño phenomenon.
Data consolidated from PhilRice-PRiSM, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) showed that Negros Occidental accounts for the largest vulnerable footprint with 8,247 hectares, followed by Negros Oriental with 2,894 hectares, and Siquijor with 210 hectares.
In contrast, approximately 80,070 hectares across the region have been classified under non-susceptible rice areas.
The DA NIR official susceptibility breakdown identifies:
- High Susceptibility (278 ha): Areas at high risk include Siaton (56 ha), Bayawan City (42 ha), and Tayasan (24 ha) in Negros Oriental; as well as Himamaylan City (39 ha) and Kabankalan City (18 ha) in Negros Occidental. High-risk classifications apply to fields deemed vulnerable during the 2024 El Niño episode, locations where irrigation was affected over the past two El Niño periods, or areas expected to lack irrigation for the CY 2027 dry season.
- Moderate Susceptibility (2,535 ha): Includes Dauin in Negros Oriental. This category covers operational irrigation zones that lacked irrigation for two consecutive dry seasons or will remain un-irrigated without intervention.
- Low-Moderate and Low Susceptibility (8,539 ha total combined): Includes Bacolod City, Bago City, San Carlos City, Bais City, and Siquijor Capital—where operational irrigation systems were not irrigated for one dry season or face non-irrigation in the upcoming CY 2027 dry season.
The advisory serves as an operational roadmap for local government units and agricultural offices to execute early interventions, mitigate potential crop losses, and protect farm yields, the DA NIR said.*
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