BACOLOD City, Philippines — After losing almost P450 million in agro-fisheries due to severe drought brought about by months-long El Niño phenomenon, Negros Occidental is now bracing for its opposite — La Niña phenomenon.
Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said Monday he has ordered the dredging of canals and waterways around the province to prevent flooding in case of heavy rains.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned of the onslaught of the rain-driving La Niña by the second half of this year.
PAGASA said a strong El Niño phenomenon is usually followed by an equally strong La Niña phenomenon.
The La Niña is the opposite of the El Niño and is characterized by above normal rainfall, strong monsoon activity, and formation of more tropical cyclones.
El niño damage
Meanwhile, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported on Monday that the losses to rice, corn, and high-value commercial crops in Negros Occidental have reached P255.6 million.
The losses to sugarcane, the main crop of this province, are estimated at P182 million.
The Provincial Veterinary Office also reported that extreme heat has already caused damage and production losses to livestock and poultry farms in the province amounting to P12.37 million.
State of calamity
Due to the huge damage to the local agro-fishery industry, the provincial government had placed Negros Occidental under a state of calamity. This allows the province to utilize its P40-million quick response fund.
The Department of Agriculture has been conducting cloud-seeding operations across the Negros Island Region to cushion the impacts of El Niño. — (FREEMAN)