The Himamaylan City government is processing financial assistance from its El Niño fund and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation to aid 75 farmer families affected by the dry spell in eight barangays.
The dry spell has damaged P3.7 million in rice crops on 78.15 hectares affecting 110 farmers in Himamaylan, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported on Wednesday, February 28.
The Himamaylan City government has also identified 8,507 families or 30,825 Himamaylanons whose water supply from artisan wells are affected by the drought.
The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and City Agriculture Office are jointly monitoring the situation on the ground, a press release from the city government said.
His office has initiated the “MRTubig Express” which delivers clean and drinking water to affected households, Mayor Raymund Tongson said.
“The city government is identifying possible water sources and coming up with projects to provide aid to Himamaylanons,” Tongson said.
Tongson said he recently led the ocular visits to barangays Cabadiangan, Carabalan, Mahalang, and To-oy to check on the needs of residents so they can come up with solutions.
Tongson has also turned over heavy-duty water hoses to Brgy. San Antonio to aid the water distribution to clusters of houses in the area.
“We are linking with the provincial government and partner agencies for a coordinated response to those affected by the dry spell,” Tongson said.*