The El Niño phenomenon damage to crops in Negros Occidental has risen to P24.9 million.
Damage to rice is now P24,801,090 and to corn – P157,852, a report submitted by OIC Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson showed.
The damage has hit 532.85 hectares of rice land and 6.60 hectares of corn in 54 barangays. This has affected 581 farmers in nine local government units of Negros Occidental.
Cauayan’s rice crops were hit the hardest with damage placed at P7,699,980, followed by Ilog – P7,487,370, Hinoba-an – P2,525,595, Himamaylan City – P2,414, 586, Hinigaran – P1,751, 055, Sipalay City – P1,623,455, Binalbagan – P513,360, Moises Padilla – P450,897, and Isabela – P334,800.
Damage to corn in Sipalay City was P157,852.
Rep. Emilio Yulo III (Neg. Occ., 5th District) said two months ago he already called the Department of Agriculture and the Sugar Regulatory Administration to conduct cloudseeding operations.
He is waiting for the DA and SRA feedback and will reiterate his request, Yulo said.
It would be difficult for his office to provide financial assistance to the affected farmers for lack of resources, unless it comes from the national government, Yulo said.*