Aid for Negros rice farmers ready

DUMAGUETE CITY—The Department of Agriculture (DA) has set aside P161.6 million in cash assistance to 32,337 rice farmers in Negros Oriental in anticipation of the adverse effects of the drought spawned by the El Niño weather phenomenon next year.

Alejandro Rafal, DA-Negros Oriental Agricultural Program coordinating officer, said on Tuesday that the amount was part of the P600-million funds already downloaded to their regional office for the use in Central Visayas provinces.

Each farmer will receive P5,000, he said, but the date and mode of distribution have yet to be decided.

The cash aid is one of the many government interventions for drought-affected farmers, Rafal said.