• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The recent reputation of Kanlaon Volcano eruption has caused P1,847,060 damage to agricultural crops in Negros Occidental, as of May 16, according to reports of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
In a report submitted to Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial Agriculturist officer-in-charge Dina Genzola said that P1,718.947.58 of high value commercial crops and P128,113.28 of rice were affected.
A total of 13.57 hectares of agricultural crops were damaged by the eruption in the barangays of Tabao Proper, Bagumbayan, Saguabanwa, and Bayabas in Valladolid, as well as villages of Sag-ang and Camandag in La Castellana, affecting 75 farmers.
Kanlaon Volcano had a minor explosive eruption on May 13, resulting in ashfall affecting more than 100 barangays in 11 local government units of Negros Island.
The two eruptions of Kanlaon Volcano in June and December last year have also caused significant damage to agriculture in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, with total losses estimated at nearly P129 million.
The high-value crops sector absorbed the most damage, followed by rice and corn production.
Livestock and poultry also suffered losses.
During its April 13 eruption, damage to crops was pegged at about P1 million, according to reports of the Department of Agriculture.
Local disaster councils in La Castellana and Bago reported then that muddy stream flows were detected in rivers of the respective LGUs, which has affected fish in the river systems, along with residents who do their laundry in the rivers.*
