• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The effects of southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Crising have brought P12.6 million in agricultural losses in Negros Occidental, the Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) reported yesterday.
Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo, regional director of DA-Negros Island Region, said 648 hectares of rice fields were damaged by flooding with estimated losses at P12 million while damage to high-value crops and corn were pegged at P631,000 as of July 21.
Barrogo said they are coordinating with the Philippine Rice Research Institute for the availability of seeds for distribution to the affected farmers.
Farmers, whose crops are insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. insurance, will receive 100 percent indemnification, he added.
The Provincial Veterinary Office reported P2.3 million losses in livestock, poultry and gamefowl, and P1.3 million damage in aquaculture.
Based on the report of the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region, 38 houses were destroyed while 259 others were damaged.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Moises reported P29.509-million damage to infrastructure projects, agricultural crops, fisheries and livestock.
These include P21.5 million damage to road projects and P4.5 million losses in agricultural crops, fisheries, and livestock. | GB
