• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The drought brought about by El Niño phenomenon continues to create havoc to rice and corn crops in Negros Occidental, with total damage pegged by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) at P173.5 million as of April 12.
Affected farmers also increased to 4,266, who are tilling 3,116.24 hectares of rice land in 148 barangays of 24 local government units.
The OPA report showed damage to rice crops has reached P168.838 million while damage to corn is at P4.737 million.
Kabankalan City remained the most affected area with estimated damage at P41.910 million.
Despite the rising number of affected farmers and damage to crops, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said that the provincial government of Negros Occidental is “not considering a declaration of a state of calamity at this moment.” | GB
