By Mary Judaline Partlow
In Dumaguete City, two additional local government units (LGUs) in Negros Oriental have documented crop and farm losses caused by the drought associated with El Niño.
According to a report from the Department of Agriculture-Provincial Agricultural Technology Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO) released on Wednesday, the municipalities of La Libertad and Bindoy have been added to the list of areas affected by drought. This brings the total number of affected LGUs in Negros Oriental to 11, with many experiencing significant damage that cannot be easily rectified.
La Libertad reported that 39 rice farmers with an aggregate total of 20.29 hectares in that northern town have been hit by the drought but have yet to submit data in terms of monetary value in losses.
As of March 26, the total number of farmers/fisherfolk in Negros Oriental hit by El Niño has reached 3,087 while areas affected were placed at roughly 1,670.5 hectares with a little over 691 hectares with no chance of recovery.
The nine other LGUs that have submitted their reports are Mabinay, Zamboanguita, Vallehermoso, Manjuyod, and the cities of Bayawan, Bais, Dumaguete, Tanjay, and Canlaon. (PNA)
