BACOLOD City – Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday morning that farmers affected by the El Niño phenomenon-induced dry spell in Negros Occidental will receive P2,500 in cash assistance from the provincial government.
Lacson acknowledged that it would not be enough, yet he hopes it could still help the farmers.
With the province forecasted to experience drought caused by El Niño until May this year, the governor has again urged farmers to maximize water availability.
Local government units were also ordered to assist in clearing irrigation canals and waterways that have been clogged with debris and garbage.
As part of efforts to mitigate the effects of the dry spell, Lacson said the provincial government is considering conducting cloud seeding operations.
The governor however noted that it will not be a 100 percent solution as cloud seeding depends on clouds as well as wind direction to target areas.
Lacson has already called for a meeting with Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) head Dr. Dina Gensola to get the list of affected farmers.
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.
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