The Kanlaon Volcano eruption has caused P68,497,436 in damage to crops and fisheries in two cities and one town in Negros Occidental, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported.
This has affected 885 farmers tilling 504.4 hectares of farmlands in Bago City, La Carlota City and La Castellana town, OIC Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola said in her report to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Damage to rice was P1,368,956.35, corn – P555,000 and high value commercial crops – P65,978,480, Genzola said.
The high value crops damaged by ash fall and lahar were coffee, bananas, vegetables and root crops in farms near the volcano, she said.
Damage to fishponds was PP595,000, Genzola added.
La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan said the farmers need help for the rehabilitation of their farms.
Food needs at evacuation centers can be addressed now but the rehabilitation of farmers’ livelihoods will be long term, we are hoping Kanlaon Volcano’s Alert Level 2 goes down to 1, she said.
Rep. Emilio Yulo III (Neg. Occ., 5th District) said he is talking to the Department of Agriculture for mitigating measures to aid rice and high value crop farmers.
Mangilimutan said there are five evacuation centers remaining in La Castellana.
The residents still in evacuation centers are those from lahar prone areas and the four kilometer danger zone, she said.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council reported 2,922 evacuees in La Castellana evacuation centers as of 6 p.m. Thursday.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos is expected to visit evacuation centers in La Castellana on Saturday.*
