MANILA — Two Local Government Units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have declared a state of calamity in response to significant crop damage caused by the El Niño-induced drought. Kabankalan City joined San Enrique town in issuing the declaration, reflecting the dire impact on agricultural livelihoods in the region.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced the developments, noting the importance of empowering the affected LGUs to mobilize resources swiftly for relief efforts. He emphasized their commitment to aiding affected constituents during this challenging period.
Kabankalan City’s Vice Mayor, Miguel Zayco, confirmed the unanimous approval of the state of calamity declaration by the City Council. Mayor Benjie Miranda will spearhead the determination of assistance measures for affected farmers, underscoring the urgency of support.
According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) report dated April 17, Kabankalan City sustained PHP41.91 million in rice crop damage, impacting 1,214 farmers across nearly 979 hectares of farmland. Similarly, San Enrique reported PHP3.581 million in losses, affecting 96 farmers cultivating 117 hectares of rice fields in six barangays.
Despite the severity of the situation, Governor Lacson expressed confidence in the provincial government’s capacity to provide assistance without necessitating a formal declaration of calamity. He assured that the province possesses sufficient funds to extend aid to affected farmers, signaling a proactive approach to mitigating the crisis.
(By el Amigo/MNM)