(CNN Philippines) — Negros Occidental has been placed under a state of calamity due to the El Niño phenomenon that already damaged at least P400 million in the province’s agriculture, livestock, and fisheries.
Earlier, the local government units (LGU) of Sipalay City and Hinoba-an, Pontevedra, and Hinigaran towns declared their areas under a state of calamity.
Records of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) showed that 136 out of 661 barangays in the province have been affected by the prolonged dry spell.
The SP passed a resolution declaring Negros Occidental under state of calamity and urged LGUs in the province to use their calamity funds to address the impact of El Niño in their respective areas.
The provincial government can now use 30 percent of its Calamity Fund equivalent to P40 million, the resolution said.
Also read: Iloilo under state of calamity due to El Niño
