• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The province of Negros Occidental sustained P13,784,650 million worth of damage to livestock and poultry from the El Niño phenomenon, following deaths of 14,598 chickens and other ruminants, as of May 13.
In her report to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana disclosed that the drought affected 1,139 animal raisers in 115 barangays of 24 local government units in Negros Occidental.
The poultry industry suffered most, as 13,664 chickens died, valued at P6.5 million, while 583 swine, 278 goat and sheep, 44 carabaos, 24 cattle, and five rabbits, also died.
Lemana reported further that in Hinigaran, Binalbagan, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, Murcia, Bago City, and Moises Padilla, 183.15 hectares of pasture were damaged by drought, with damage placed at P2,685,500.
Total amount of damage to both livestock and pasture area pegged at P16,470,150.
Lemana blamed the rising mortality of livestock and poultry to the extreme heat.*
