Typhoon Crising causes PHP12.6M agri damage in Negros

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Two local government units in Negros Occidental are considering declaring a state of calamity after Typhoon Crising and the enhanced southwest monsoon caused PHP12.6 million in agricultural damage across the province.

The Department of Agriculture–Negros Island Region (DA–NIR) reported that flooding destroyed 648 hectares of rice fields, resulting in an estimated loss of PHP12 million.

DA–NIR Regional Director Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo said damage to high-value crops and corn totaled PHP631,000 as of July 21.

Barrogo also said they are coordinating with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to secure rice seeds for affected Negrense farmers.

He assured that farmers with crop insurance through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) will receive full indemnification.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Veterinary Office reported PHP2.3 million in losses to livestock, poultry, and gamefowl, and PHP1.3 million in aquaculture damage.

The Office of Civil Defense–Negros Island Region reported 38 houses destroyed and 259 partially damaged during the same period.

In Binalbagan town, the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) has recommended a state of calamity declaration.

LDRRMO head Engr. Jernie Ronding said the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, led by Mayor Emmanuel Aranda, is expected to deliberate on the proposal this week.

Ronding added that 13 out of the town’s 16 barangays experienced days-long flooding, affecting 10,413 families.

In Binalbagan alone, the fisheries sector suffered PHP1.14 million in losses, while high-value crops sustained PHP1.2 million in damage and livestock losses reached PHP106,000.

In Kabankalan City, Mayor Benjie Miranda said data are still being consolidated by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Agriculture Office, and City Social Welfare and Development Office to support a possible calamity declaration.

Four days of continuous rain and flooding caused by Typhoon Crising and the southwest monsoon have claimed four lives and affected 31,455 residents in Negros Occidental.

Floods hit 139 barangays in 18 cities and towns, impacting 18,918 families.

The affected areas in the fourth, fifth, and sixth districts of Negros Occidental include Hinoba-an, Cauayan, Binalbagan, Isabela, Sipalay City, Kabankalan City, Himamaylan City, Ilog, Candoni, Hinigaran, Calatrava, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, Valladolid, La Castellana, Bago City, La Carlota City, and San Enrique.