BACOLOD City – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Negros Occidental has committed to protecting and rehabilitating the province’s watershed areas to enhance water security, particularly in light of the extreme heat caused by the El Niño phenomenon.
Engr. Joan Gerangaya, the officer-in-charge at PENRO, said that through these efforts, their goal is to maintain normal water levels in the water sources.
He highlighted the southern part of the province as a significant area of concern due to its lack of protected areas, which would offer additional defense and sufficient rainfall amid the current devastation.
He confirmed that the extreme heat has led to decreasing water levels, prompting coordination with local government units to mitigate the decline in water supply.
Last week, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported that agricultural damage has exceeded P77.5 million, affecting approximately 1,646 hectares of farmland across 11 local government units and impacting a total of 1,963 farmers.
Kabankalan City experienced the most significant damage, with losses amounting to P41,726,761.01, followed by Cauayan town, which suffered P14,001,540 in damages. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
