Farmers in Western Visayas (Region 6) have reported PHP70.444 million in production losses due to heavy rains and floods brought about by the combined effects of southwest monsoon and Typhoon Egay in the past week. Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) released by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-6) on Thursday showed the amount translates to 2,732.8 metric tons in terms of volume lost for rice and other crops. There were no damaged infrastructure, machinery and equipment, based on the report. Of the total production losses, the highest was reported in Negros Occidental amounting to PHP50.358 million, followed by Iloilo province, PHP10.526 million; Antique, PHP6.95 million; and Guimaras, PHP2.609 million. Across the four provinces, 3,345 hectares of crops have been affected, including 2,672 hectares in Negros Occidental; 358.52 hectares in Iloilo province; 223.55 hectares in Antique; and 90.58 hectares in Guimaras. Out of the crop areas affected in Western Visayas, some 3,235 hectares still have a chance of recovery while 109.77 hectares have been damaged. According to the report, at least 3,461 farmers have been affected in the four provinces, of which 2,695 are in Negros Occidental while in Iloilo province, 358; Antique, 298; and Guimaras, 110.
Source: Philippines News Agency