BACOLOD City – Despite crop damages from the El Niño phenomenon reaching P24.9 million, the provincial government of Negros Occidental has no immediate plans to declare a state of calamity.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said funds have been allocated to lessen the impacts of the dry spell caused by El Niño.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has identified rice farmers eligible for cash assistance.
“These are farmers cultivating up to three hectares. They will receive support for their daily needs,” said Lacson.
The provincial government is collaborating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to finalize the list of beneficiaries, which will be subject to verification.
Lacson also said a budget of P400,000 has been allotted for cloud seeding operations. However, the Department of Agriculture Region 6 has not yet responded to the request for cloud seeding in the province’’s 5th and 6th districts.
As of February 26, the OPA reported that damage to rice crops had reached P55.255 million, while corn crops suffered damages amounting to P157,852.
The data also showed that 1,213 farmers and 1,064.14 hectares of rice and corn fields across 79 villages were affected.
Kabankalan City experienced the most significant damage, with estimates at P22.834 million affecting 504 farmers, followed by Cauayan town (P14.001 million), Ilog (P7.4 million), Himamaylan City (P3.7 million), Hinigaran (P1.7 million), Sipalay City (P1.6 million), Binalbagan (P513,000), and Moises Padilla (P450,000).
The city government of Kabankalan is considering declaring a state of calamity. Mayor Benjie Miranda announced plans to discuss the proposal with the City Agriculture Office.
The mayor is also evaluating the types of assistance, such as financial or food support, that could be provided to the affected farmers. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
