The drought damage to crops and animals in Negros Occidental is now P535.6 million.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in a report submitted to Gov, Eugenio Jose Lacson on Friday, May 17, said damage to rice, corn, high value commercial crops (HVCC) and fisheries had reached P318,958,988 on May 15.
Damage to rice was P298,474,128.14 affecting 8,431 farmers tilling 6,015 hectares of land in 28 local government units, the OPA reported.
Corn damage was P8,346,482.26 affecting 280 farmers tilling 189.29 hectares of land in 12 LGUs, it added.
HVCC damage was P8,582,356 affecting 9,218 farmers tilling 6,287.94 hectares of land in four LGUs, the OPA said.
Damage to fisheries was P3,556,022 affecting 34 fisherfolk in six LGUs, the OPA added.
On May 10 Provincial Veterinarian Placeda Lemana placed the damage to animals and pasture lands in Negros Occidental was P16,470,150.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration initially estimated the drought damage to sugar and molasses in Negros Occidental at P200,178,856.*