Drought inflicts P197M damage in Negros Occidental

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental has suffered agricultural losses amounting to P197,153,844.39 due to a severe drought, according to a report by the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office to Governor Eugenio Lacson last Friday.

The report, submitted by OIC-Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola, detailed that rice crops sustained damage estimated at P192,209,466.51, while corn crops were hit with losses of P4,944,377.88.

Rice production in 24 out of 31 localities has been affected, with the town of Cauayan experiencing the highest damage at P66,139,789, impacting 20 barangays, 1,130 farmers, and 562 hectares of land.

Kabankalan City followed, with estimated losses of P41,910,789, 13 barangays, 1,214 farmers, and 978 hectares of land affected.

Himamaylan City also faced significant losses totaling P13,499,975, with 15 barangays, 361 farmers, and 226 hectares suffering from the drought conditions.

Additionally, Candoni town reported P10,300,723 in damages, affecting 13 barangays, 1,214 farmers, and 244 hectares.

Other municipalities affected include San Carlos City, Don Salvador Benedicto, Sagay City, and Murcia, among others. The cornfields of Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Sagay City, Murcia, Bago City, Isabela, and Sipalay City also faced the drought’s impact.

Previously, San Enrique town declared a state of calamity due to the drought.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, addressing the drought’s toll on sugarcane farms, remains cautious about declaring a state of calamity for the purpose of purchasing aircraft for cloud seeding, despite concerns from UNIFED president Manuel Lamata. He referenced expert guidance questioning cloud seeding’s effectiveness under the current conditions.