Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) is seeking the help of national government agencies to assist the southern Negros Occidental farmers who have been the worst-hit by the long drought.
Of the P197.1 million damage to rice and corn crops in Negros Occidental, the 6th District accounts for almost two-thirds at P130.3 million, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported on Thursday.
Alvarez said she has sought the help of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The DSWD Region 6 has given food packs to the affected farmers,” she said.
“We’re also in talks with DA for assistance to the farmers. Hopefully they will also grant our request for solar pumps and mini dams,” she said.
Alvarez said it looks like the request for cloud seeding will not be granted by the DA.
She is also asking the DENR for tree seedlings for the continuation of the tree planting program in the south, Alvarez said.
Alvarez said her family has also purchased a water tanker to augment local government units’ delivery of water to drought affected residents.
In the 6th District damage to rice crops in Cauayan is P66,139,789, Hinoba-an – P2,525,595, Sipalay City – P1,697,533, Ilog – P7,487,370, Kabankalan City – P41,910,361 and Candoni – P10,300,773.
Damage to corn crops in Sipalay City is P243,356.*