BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is ready to provide assistance to farmers affected by the El Niño phenomenon-induced dry spell.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson instructed Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz to look for sources of funds.
He also set the parameters for the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) as to who will receive the assistance.
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, OPA reported that the damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon has so far reached P12.8 million.
The number of affected localities has also risen to seven, covering 346 hectares of rice fields and 373 farmers across 36 villages.
Lacson warned that the dry spell may affect more localities.
Based on the latest climate models released by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Negros Occidental including its capital Bacolod City will continue to experience drought conditions until May this year.
PAGASA defined drought as three-consecutive months of way below normal rainfall condition. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
