BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The southern Negros Occidental city of Kabankalan reported the highest agricultural damage in 2016, the latest episode of the weather event before this year’s occurrence that is leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Then, as in now, Kabankalan sustained the highest crop damage valued then at P46.3 million as drought struck the sugar producing capital of the Philippines.
Now, as the province stews in danger level heat indices for close to a full week, Capitol’s OIC chief agriculturist reported damage to croplands planted to rice and corn at close to P200 million in seven months since November 2025.
During the 2016 El Niño, the Office of the Provincial Agriculture reported losses in agro-fishery industry of up to P470 million; with over P16 billion in total losses all over the country.
In Negros Occidental alone, 136 out of 661 barangays or 20.6 percent were affected by the prolonged dry spell.
Estimated damage to rice, corn and high-value crops as well as the fisheries sector was placed at P221.88 million, while the Sugar Regulatory said damage to sugarcane was at P178.5 million.
The provincial veterinarian office estimated damage to livestock and poultry placed at P3.16 million.
The drought in that year affected over 7,000 farmers, 44 fisherfolk groups and about 8,000 sugar planters in 136 barangays.
Kabankalan City suffered the most extensive damage at P46.3 million.
Kabankalan led the most damaged areas in southern Negros Occidental with 1,214 farmers affected followed by Cauayan town with 1,130, the neighboring city of Himamaylan had 381 farmers affected while EB Magalina town came in fourth with 309 farmers affected and Candoni town was the fifth most damaged with 263 farmers affected.
