BACOLOD City – The town of Cauayan in Negros Occidental is contemplating a declaration of a state of calamity due to the ongoing dry spell attributed to the El Niño phenomenon.
Mayor John Rey Tabujara said 127 farmers across 14 villages have been impacted thus far.
The dry spell has compromised 126 hectares of farmland, with the estimated damages reaching nearly P7.7 million, marking the highest recorded in the province to date.
Tabujara has sought guidelines from both the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Municipal Agriculture Office regarding the declaration of a state of calamity.
He noted that funds were already allocated, and town officials were recommending a comprehensive assessment and validation.
Plans are underway to provide both food and financial support to the farmers affected.
In response to the crisis, the provincial government has liaised with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 to discuss the possibility of initiating cloud seeding operations, particularly targeting the 5th and 6th districts.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson anticipates a response from DA-6 director Dennis Arpia by next week.
The DA-6 is expected to supply the aircraft necessary for the cloud seeding, potentially enlisting the Philippine Air Force’s assistance.
The provincial government, with additional support from local government units in the 5th and 6th districts, will contribute manpower and materials.
As of Feb. 14, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported that the El Niño phenomenon has resulted in crop damages amounting to P14.4 million in Negros Occidental.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts that Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, will face drought conditions until May this year.
PAGASA describes a drought as a period of three consecutive months with significantly below-normal rainfall conditions. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
