Negros Occ. loses PHP 35M worth of crop, fisheries

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental has recorded an estimated PHP 35,004,157.43 in total agricultural losses following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino, according to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

Based on the OPA’s summary report as of Nov. 7, damages were reported across several local government units, affecting both the crop and fisheries sectors.

Crop losses reached PHP 28.53 million, covering rice, corn, and high-value crops.

Rice sustained the highest losses at PHP 24.85 million, affecting 1,145 farmers across 13 local government units and 89 barangays, with 956.83 hectares of rice fields damaged.

Corn incurred PHP 387,682.26 in losses, affecting 22 farmers in four barangays covering 12.20 hectares.

High-value crops suffered PHP 3.29 million in damages, affecting 62 farmers in six barangays with 27.35 hectares affected.

The fisheries sector recorded PHP 6.47 million in losses, with damages reported in two local government units, affecting seven fisherfolk and two barangays.

Provincial Agriculturist Dina Gensola said assessment teams continue to validate reports from various areas to determine the full extent of Typhoon Tino’s impact on agriculture and fisheries.

Typhoon Tino brought strong winds and heavy rainfall across Negros Occidental earlier this week, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and severe damage to crops and infrastructure.

Authorities said recovery and rehabilitation efforts are underway to assist affected farmers and fisherfolk across the province.

Negros Occidental has been placed under a state of calamity after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the recommendation of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Thursday.

Governor Lacson recalled that on Nov. 4, 2025, Typhoon Tino battered several cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental, bringing torrential rains, strong winds, and widespread flooding that caused severe damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and residential areas, resulting in loss of lives and mass displacement of families.

As a result of the typhoon’s impact, 31 local government units comprising 375 barangays—with 39,102 affected families or 134,718 individuals—were severely hit by continuous heavy rains, flooding, and strong winds.

Lacson cited National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Memorandum Order No. 60, series of 2019, noting that reports and assessments revealed extensive destruction to critical and lifeline infrastructure—including roads and bridges, power stations, potable water systems, and telecommunications facilities—which led to hindered emergency response operations, inaccessibility of basic local government services, and disruption of essential services expected to take more than a week to restore.

He added that widespread devastation also affected fishponds, crops, poultry, livestock, and other agricultural products, disrupting food supply chains, electricity, water systems, transportation, communications, and health services.

Given these conditions, Lacson said the declaration of a provincewide state of calamity was both warranted and necessary to accelerate recovery and rehabilitation efforts in Negros Occidental.