The El Niño damage to animals and pasture lands in Negros Occidental has risen to P16,470,150.
Provincial Veterinarian Placeda Lemana in a report submitted to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the drought has caused the death of 14,598 farm animals worth P13,784,650 and affected 1,139 raisers as of May 10.
The bulk of the deaths involved poultry at 13,664 heads valued at P6.5 million, followed by 583 pigs – P P3.7 million, 278 goats and sheep – P1.2 million, 44 carabaos – P1.4 million, 24 cattle – P670,000 and 5 rabbits – P7,500.
Lemana also reported P183.15 hectares of pasture lands worth P2,685,500 damaged.
The bulk of damage was in Hinigaran at 100 hectares followed by Murcia with 50 ha, Moises Padilla – 12.5 ha, La Carlota City – 9.25 ha, Pontevedra – 4 ha, Bago City – 1.,85 ha and Binalbagan 1 ha, Lemana said.*