NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — Two local government units in Negros Occidental, Kabankalan City and San Enrique town, have declared states of calamity in response to severe drought and significant agricultural losses triggered by the El Niño phenomenon.
According to Philippines News Agency, the declarations will enable the affected LGUs to utilize special funds to aid constituents suffering from crop damages. The state of calamity in Kabankalan City was approved unanimously by the City Council on Thursday, following San Enrique's declaration last week.
Vice Mayor Miguel Zayco of Kabankalan stated in a radio interview that Mayor Benjie Miranda is assessing the extent of aid to be distributed among the local farmers. A report from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) released on April 17 noted that Kabankalan City faced PHP41.91 million in damages to rice crops, affecting over 1,200 farmers and nearly 979 hectares of agricultural land. In contrast, San Enrique reported losses amounting to PHP3.581 million across 117 hectares, impacting 96 farmers.
Governor Lacson mentioned that there is currently no necessity for a broader provincial calamity declaration as the province has adequate funds to provide necessary assistance. However, Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation, has called on provincial authorities to consider such a declaration to facilitate cloud seeding operations to mitigate the drought affecting the sugar industry.
The OPA's comprehensive damage report highlights that 25 out of 31 LGUs in Negros Occidental have experienced agricultural damages totaling approximately PHP184.764 million due to the ongoing dry conditions.