THE Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has proposed the conduct of cloud seeding operations in Negros Occidental, as damage to sugarcane farms in the province brought about by the dry spell has reached P99.51 million. A total of P44.16 million in damage and production losses was also recorded for other crops and livestock. The SRA reported the adverse effects of the dry spell to sugarcane during the meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) in Bacolod City on Thursday, January 21. Affected were 7,372 hectares of sugarcane farms, or 21 percent of the 35,735.83 hectares of standing crop as of January. The figures cover four mill districts in the southern part of the province, affecting 7,861 planters from 14 local government units (LGUs). These include Southern Negros Development Corp. (Sonedco) and Dacongcogon, comprising parts of Kabankalan City, Cauayan, Ilog, Sipalay City and the whole of Candoni, with a reported damage worth P30.2 million; Ma-ao Sugar Central in Bago City, P8.25 million; Biscom Inc., covering Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Himamaylan, Isabela and Moises Padilla, P11.35 million; and Central Azucarera de La Carlota comprised of sugar farms in Pontevedra, La Carlota and La Castellana, P49.9 million. Reports further showed that the age of cane affected is seven to 11 months. These reports, however, only covered southern Negros since the SRA has not yet received reports from the central and northern portions of the island. Of the total damage, P91.59 million involves sugar while the remaining P7.93 million pertains to molasses. Helen Lobaton, acting head of the Extension Services Division of SRA-Visayas, said the recommendation for cloud seeding in the Negros Island Region, Panay Island, and Capiz was made by SRA Administrator Regina Martin. “SRA is currently advising sugar planters to take active measures against climate change through massive information dissemination,” Lobaton said. Provincial Planning and Development Officer Maria Lina Sanogal said the TWG will schedule another meeting with the entire PDRRMC on January 27. Sanogal said the PDRRMC can endorse the SRA's request for cloud seeding to the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM). Meanwhile, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported Thursday P43.82 million in other crop damage and production losses, covering 1,459.74 hectares, and affecting 1,455 farmers from six LGUs. In 12 barangays of Pontevedra, 218 rice farmers in 304.43 hectares reported P15.99 million in damage and losses. Hinigaran posted P12.18 million, covering 302 rice farmers, 24 farmers of high-value commercial crops (HVCC), and three corn farmers with a total area of 290.29 hectares also in 12 barangays. Forty-six rice and corn farmers in four barangays of Moises Padilla with an area of 327.34 hectares were affected with damage and losses pegged at P13.59 million while Hinoba-an reported P5.56 million, covering 557 farmers with 619.20 hectares in 12 barangays; Sipalay, P2.13 million, 75 palay farmers with 73.77 hectares in six barangays; and Cauayan, P6.54 million, 230 rice farmers in 135-hectare farmlands in three barangays. Provincial Senior Agriculturist Dina Genzola said that as of Thursday, January 21, 534 farmers have filed notices of loss for their claims under the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP). “Adjusters from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. will conduct the adjustment and assessment to determine the amount of indemnities that can be claimed by affected farmers,” Genzola added. The damage and losses in livestock remained at about P346,000. Damage estimates were expected to increase as assessment and validation of the OPA and the Provincial Veterinary Office continue. Sanogal said the Province still cannot declare a state of calamity despite the damage and losses reported. “The Province can only declare a state of calamity after at least two LGUs have been placed under this level,” she said, adding that the Provincial Government has P135 million in PDRRM fund this year that can be used to counter the El Nino effects. Source - sunstar.com.ph