The drought damage to rice and corn crops in Negros Occidental is now P173,576,405 and has affected 4,431 farmers in 25 local government units.
Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola in a report submitted to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the damage to rice crops was P168,838,595.73 and P4,737,809.89 to corn covering 3,241 hectares in 167 barangays as of April 12.
LGUs whose corn crops were damaged are:
First District – San Carlos with losses of P2,383,723 and Salvador Benedicto – P701,525;
Second District – Sagay City – P1,324,425;
Third District – Murcia – P688,638.40, Talisay City – P1,115,504, and EB Magalona – P2,572,460.80;
Fourth District – Valladolid – P3,442,846.72, San Enrique – P3,581,679.05, Bago City – P8,233,608.34, Pulupandan – P818 469.60, Pontevedra – P1,557,122.40;
Fifth District – Himamaylan City – P3,732,556.92, Isabela – P334,800, Binalbagan – P1,202,640, Moises Padilla – P450,897.50, Hinigaran – P1,751,055.20 and La Castellana – P3,135,780.90; and
Sixth District – Cauayan – P67,889,229, Hinoba-an – P2,525,595.60, Sipalay City – P1,697,533.63, Ilog – P7,487,370.24, Kabankalan City – P41,910,361.20 and Candoni – P10,300,773.20.
LGUs whose corn crops were damaged are:
First District – Calatrava – P3,877.704.80 and Don Salvador Benedicto – P115,500:
Third District – Murcia – P199,384.40;
Fifth District – Isabela – P301.864.29; and
Sixth District – Sipalay City – P243,356.40.
Senator Imee Marcos, in her speech at the opening of the Panaad sa Negros Festival on Monday, said she has filed a resolution in the Senate to investigate the water and farming situation in the country.
Senate Resolution No. 986 seeks an inquiry in aid of legislation “into the ongoing El Niño phenomenon and the recurring water crisis in the country despite the various government initiatives to manage and safeguard the water supply effectively”, she said.
“Despite the various efforts and initiatives being conducted by the government the entire country is still experiencing strained water resources and water crisis in various regions and provinces,” Marcos said.*