BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – This sugar-producing capital of the Philippines had been stewing in danger level heat for an entire week now as a high of 44 degrees is forecast on Mayo Uno even as crop damage for the past seven months was recorded at close to seven months now since the El Niño weather event started.
As face-to-face classes from pre-school to senior high are suspended by sitting Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez until today, the Provincial Agriculturist Office reported a total crop damage of close to P200 million on croplands in the 32 localities since November 2023 when the El Niño weather event started.
Most of the towns and cities here are dependent on agriculture and had been reeling from a drought caused by extreme heat.
OIC Capitol Agriculturist Dina Genzola also reported a total of more than 5,000 farmers have been affected in 195 barangays in the province.
The La Granja observatory of State weather bureau PAGASA in the central Negros city of La Carlota recorded heat indices here fluctuating in the 42 and 43 degree range since 25 April 2024 and is forecast to hit 44 degrees, the highest heat index forecast so far in the 2024 El Niño.
Heat indices have steadily climbed this month as the El Niño is expected to peak and wane as it gives way to the La Niña event by June.
It has stayed in the danger level or 42 to 51 degree range as defined by PAGASA that also warns of possible heat cramps, heat stroke and exhaustion.
