BACOLOD City – Due to inclement weather, damage to crops and livestock in Negros Occidental reached P122.5 million, data from the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) showed yesterday morning.
OPA recorded a total of P116.8 million worth of damages to rice, corn and high-value crops affecting 2,888 farmers in 67 villages across 13 local government units (LGUs).
Dr. Dina Genzola, OPA officer-in-charge, added that an estimated P1,447,000 in fishery losses was also recorded in the province.
Genzola noted that fishery losses were from fish pens located in two LGUs. It overflowed due to the non-stop rains.
For her part, PVO head Dr. Placeda Lemana said as of Wednesday, Aug. 30, they have recorded a total of 470 livestock deaths, with damages pegged at over P2.5 million.
Among the districts badly hit by the livestock deaths, that included carabaos, ducks, goats, horses, and native chicken, were the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th districts.
Several hog deaths were also recorded, although this time it can be attributed to the torrential rains due to the southwest monsoon or habagat enhanced by Typhoon “Goring.”
Lemana said the LGUs are still conducting damage assessments among livestock farmers.
There is a possibility that both the provincial and regional offices of the Department of Agriculture may hand out assistance to the affected farmers, she added.
Over 103K Negrenses displaced
Meanwhile, there were no casualties recorded in the province during the almost three-day long heavy rains.
As of 11 a.m. yesterday, there were zero deaths, injuries and missing person, based on the situational report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
However, the number of affected families climbed to 31,894, or 103,922 individuals.
Also, a total of 141 villages across 16 cities and municipalities were affected.
The PDRRMC also recorded five areas that were flooded and five landslide incidents induced by heavy rains.
At least two roads and one bridge were impassable during the height of the heavy rains.
The PDRRMC further logged 24 destroyed houses and 67 more that suffered extensive damages. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
