In the wake of the devastating eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on December 9, 2024, the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has pledged ongoing support to the affected farmers of Negros Island. The eruption has led to agricultural losses totaling PHP913.026 million, severely impacting the livelihoods of 4,066 farmers across the region.
The DA’s report from the Negros Island Region (NIR) detailed that losses in Negros Occidental amounted to PHP130.528 million, while Negros Oriental saw damages of PHP782.498 million. The hardest-hit areas include the cities of Bago, La Carlota, and Canlaon, as well as the municipality of La Castellana.
Jose Albert Barrogo, the DA-NIR’s Officer-in-Charge, emphasized that immediate assistance in the form of seeds, fertilizers, livestock, and other essential farm inputs would be provided to farmers once they can return to their lands. The rehabilitation efforts also encompass alternative livelihood programs and infrastructure projects like trading posts and farm-to-market roads.
In Negros Occidental, high-value crop farmers suffered the most significant losses, totaling PHP124.931 million, affecting 1,168 farmers. Rice production losses were reported at PHP4.192 million, impacting 229 farmers, while livestock and poultry losses reached PHP900,100, affecting 49 farmers. Corn production losses were minimal at PHP503,352, affecting 15 farmers.
Negros Oriental also saw substantial losses in the high-value crops sector, amounting to PHP735.179 million and affecting 1,850 farmers. Rice losses were PHP45.794 million, impacting 635 farmers, and corn losses were PHP1.524 million, affecting 114 farmers.
The DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center has outlined various interventions, including the provision of rice and corn seeds, and drugs and biologics for livestock from DA-Western Visayas. Additional support includes a quick response fund for rehabilitation, loans up to PHP25,000 from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Survival and Recovery Loan Program, and indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.
In La Castellana, the most affected area in Negros Occidental, the local government has launched a vegetable seed production project to help farmers cultivate seeds for local food supply and income generation. Meanwhile, in Bago City, known for its rice production, rehabilitation efforts are underway, with organic fertilizers, vegetable seeds, and planting materials for coffee, banana, and cacao available for farmers.
City Agriculturist Marvin John Blance confirmed the availability of these resources, underscoring the government’s commitment to aiding the recovery of the agricultural sector in the region.