By Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) in Negros Occidental reported an initial damage and production losses worth almost P4.2 million to the rice sector in the province due to tropical depression “Falcon.”
An aerial view of crop damage left by tropical depression “Falcon” at Brgy. Mabini, Valladolid, Negros Occidental Wednesday. (OPA photo)
Of the total figure, farmers in the town of Valladolid incurred about P2.6 million losses while farmers in San Enrique town suffered almost P1.6 million worth of damage.
Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino, said heavy rains brought by the tropical depression affected 433 farmers, covering 1,726.56-hectare farm in seven and 14 barangays of San Enrique and Valladolid towns, respectively.
Masculino said OPA’s monitoring, assessment and field validation continues, as monsoon rains enhanced by the storm continue to hit various cities and municipalities in the province, which may increase the amount of crop damage.
OPA had previously advised local farmers to insure their crops to lessen possible adverse effects of calamities like typhoons.
Under the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP), an initiative of the provincial government in partnership with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), which was implemented since 2011, farmers may avail themselves of the P17,000 claim per hectare of damaged farms. Enrollees should apply for insurance before planting.