BACOLOD CITY — About 980 hectares of rice plantations in southern Negros were hit by floods due to Typhoon “Paolo,” with total damage pegged at PHP21.47 million as of Tuesday afternoon.
A report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) showed that five local government units — Bago City and the towns of Binalbagan, Valladolid, Hinigaran and Moises Padilla — reported damage and losses brought by torrential rains from October 18 to 20.
Bago City, dubbed the rice bowl of Negros Occidental for its vast rice plantations, posted a damage of PHP5.641 million in 11 villages, affecting 184 farmers and 347.35 hectares.
In the neighboring Valladolid, damage was PHP13.574 million in 411 hectares situated in 14 villages, affecting 274 farmers.
Hinigaran reported PHP1.776 million in damage to 174.41 hectares planted by 171 farmers in four villages; Moises Padilla, PHP303,992, affecting 55 farmers in 35.28 hectares in five barangays; and Binalbagan, PHP179,500, in 11.55 hectares planted by 13 farmers in two villages.
Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino reported to Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. that field assessment and validation of affected areas continues.
He also reminded rice farmers to enroll in the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance (NFUCIP) to avail of insurance claims for damaged crops. Enrollment is P840 per cropping season, of which P500 is granted as a loan.
NFUCIP, a partnership of the province with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., provides PHP17,000 per hectare of damaged farms.(PNA)
