Negros under state of calamity due to drought

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A state of calamity has been declared in Negros Occidental due to El Niño.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) approved a resolution recommending the declaration during a meeting yesterday.

With the declaration, local government units  can use their respective quick response funds to mitigate the effects of the dry spell.

The office of the provincial agriculturist said damage to rice, corn and high-value crops as well as the fisheries sector was placed at P221.88 million.

Damage to sugarcane  was estimated at P178.5 million, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration.

The provincial veterinarian office said damage to livestock and poultry was placed at P3.16 million. 

The drought has so far affected 7,080 farmers, 44 fisherfolk groups and 7,909 sugar planters in 136 barangays.

Kabankalan City suffered the most extensive damage at P46.3 million.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is providing an additional P615 million to Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to assist drought-hit families.  

The Department of Budget and Management released an additional P662.5 million to the DSWD so it can immediately provide assistance to El Niño- affected areas.