• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental is now under a state of calamity due to severe effects of southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Crising and the outbreak of red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) in sugarcane plantations.
Recent widespread flooding in 18 towns and cities resulted in the death of six individuals, which also affected 47,444 families composed of 178,781 persons.
Damage to agricultural crops was pegged at P44.4 million, affecting 1,784 farmers tilling 1,385 hectares of rice, corn and high value crops, with livestock damage reported at P865,400 as of July 22, according to reports of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council-Negros Island Region.
Some 41 houses were destroyed while 308 others were partially damaged.
The state of calamity declaration was unanimously approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during a special session July 24, following the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC).
The resolution said the RSSI infestation has been reported in 2,931 hectares of sugarcane plantations in 21 local government units being tilled by 1,594 farmers as of July 17.
While Visayas was not directly hit by Tropical Storm Crising, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said it brought a lot of rains in Negros Occidental.
Lacson raised the possibility of another flooding in southern Negros, if heavy rains come due to southwest monsoon.
The PDRRMC remains under blue alert status because of the inclement weather.
Binalbagan town is also under a state of calamity as approved by its Sangguniang Bayan, following a recommendation by its Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council. | GB
