Negros Occidental Assures Adequate Rice Supply Despite Typhoon Tino Damages

The Department of Agriculture–Negros Island Region (DA-NIR), under the leadership of OIC-Regional Executive Director Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo, has collaborated with the Negros Occidental Accredited Seed Producers Cooperative (NOASEPCO) to distribute 20 sacks of rice to farmers in La Castellana on November 11. This initiative followed the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino.

Despite significant agricultural damage, officials emphasized that Negros Occidental's rice supply remains ample due to an early harvest ahead of the typhoon and the approaching holiday season. Engr. Barrogo stated, "Most of our rice harvest occurred before Typhoon Tino struck. However, approximately 1,000 hectares of rice fields, particularly in San Carlos City—the last area to harvest—suffered damage."

Usually, the province's palay (unmilled rice) harvest peaks during the "ber" months, especially from September to October. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that Typhoon Tino caused over ₱158 million in agricultural losses. Of that amount, more than ₱105 million pertained to rice damage, impacting 2,601 hectares across 205 barangays and affecting 3,547 rice farmers.

Despite the ongoing rice importation ban nationwide, enacted since September under Presidential Executive Order 102 to support local farmers during harvest season and extended until year's end, local palay prices remain low. Traders reportedly purchase palay at ₱11 to ₱13 per kilogram, rates insufficient for farmers to recuperate their production costs.

This situation highlights the challenges faced by Negros Occidental farmers even as local agencies work to mitigate the typhoon's impact and stabilize supply amid economic constraints.