Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Wednesday, Oct. 28, that he is in favor of a national declaration of a state of calamity to cushion the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on agriculture.
Senator Francis Pangilinan earlier urged the government to consider declaring a nationwide state of calamity as El Niño agricultural damage threatens food production and farmers’ livelihoods.
“The idea of a state of calamity is really to make more funding accessible to address the situation, so of course, yes, I am in favor considering that El Niño will affect us,” Lacson said.
Negros Occidental was earlier placed under a state of calamity following the red-striped soft scale insect attacks on sugarlands.
Maybe the proposed national state of calamity is for the expected El Niño, Lacson said.
“They said El Niño has started, but Negros Occidental is also experiencing rainfall, which is perfect weather for agriculture, especially sugar,” he added.
“But we are also told when El Niño really hits us, it will be a long dry spell,” he said.
Lacson said he was informed by Department of Agriculture Negros Island Region Director Albert Barrogo of possible additional funding of ₱30 million for more cloud-seeding operations in the province.
“I’m just awaiting as to which agency will do the bidding for the future cloud seeding,” Lacson said.
“The Sugar Regulatory Administration can guide us on which areas should be covered for next cloud-seeding operations,” he said.
The governor said he thinks the ₱30 million would be enough until the province gets over the El Niño.*
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