DAMAGE brought by Southwest Moonson, or habagat, enhanced by Tropical Depression Henry to the agriculture sector of Negros Occidental has surged to almost P1.8 million.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Monday, July 23, reported that a total of 367 rice and corn farmers covering an area of almost 361 hectares in 19 barangays of six local government units (LGUs) in the province are affected.

For the rice sector, San Enrique incurred the biggest losses worth P592,530.

Fifty-four farmers in four barangays of the town with a combined area of 83.26 hectares are affected.

It is followed by Hinigaran with P519,750 worth of damage. It is accounted for 181 rice farmers with a 192.5-hectare farm in three barangays.

Pulupandan incurred P267,556 in losses, covering 11 farmers with an area of 13.25 hectares; Kabankalan City - P209,803 covering 38 farmers with 35.8-hectare area; Moises Padilla - P170,892 with 58 affected farmers owning a total 24.79 hectares; and Binalbagan - P22,875 which accounts for 12 farmers with 7.75 hectares.

In terms of corn, 13 farmers with a total area of 3.7 hectares incurred production losses worth P15,466.

The amount of losses is for the period of July 15 to 19, the report said.

Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino earlier advised farmers to avail of the crop insurance.

The provincial government, in partnership with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), is implementing the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP).

Under which, farmers may avail of the P17,000 claims per hectare of damaged farms.

"Affected farmers should immediately report any damage in their crops due to calamities to avail buffer stocks like seeds," Masculino reiterated.