• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The city government of Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental, is currently assessing the damage caused by the dry spell, whether it warrants the declaration of a state of calamity.
Reports of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist indicated that Kabankalan City suffered the worst damage to agriculture among the eight local governments in Negros Occidental affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
The OPA reported that as of February 26, 431.60 hectares of land planted with rice, corn, and vegetables in 13 of 18 Kabankalan City barangays were hit by the dry spell, affecting 505 farmers, with damage valued at P22,834,450.
Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda said the affected farmers are being helped by the city government to be insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
“I am waiting for the recommendation of the City Agriculture Office on what actions to take to help the farmers,” Miranda added.
If the recommendations require legislative action from the Sangguniang Panlungsod, we make the necessary actions, he stressed.
Miranda also said they are also considering declaring a state of calamity. But he said it will be thoroughly studied, including possible cloud seeding operations.
He also noted that the majority of agricultural lands being hit by the dry spell are rain fed and do not have irrigation.
The OPA report showed that damage to rice and corn land in nine local government units in southern Negros Occidental has risen to P55,412,924.69, as of Feb. 26.
Rice crops sustained damage of up to P55,255,071.89 while corn was also hit, incurring damages valued at P157,852.80.
The report also showed 79 barangays, 1,213 farmers, and 1,064.14 hectares of rice and corn land were affected by the dry spell.*
