Negros occidental: The Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has recorded an initial damage of at least PHP35 million to agriculture and fishery after the onslaught of Typhoon Tino, data on Friday showed.

According to Philippines News Agency, the summary of damage to crops revealed that a total of 956.83 hectares of rice fields were affected, resulting in a total damage amount of PHP24.85 million. These crops were cultivated by 1,145 farmers across 89 barangays in 13 local government units (LGUs).

Furthermore, high-value crops suffered damage amounting to PHP3.296 million, affecting 27.35 hectares farmed by 22 farmers in four barangays of three LGUs. In addition, 62 corn farmers reported damages worth PHP387,682 to their crops located in six barangays of two LGUs.

The fishery sector was not spared, with damages totaling PHP6.47 million as reported by seven fishermen from two LGUs. In response to the disaster, the climate resiliency task force has been activated to monitor updates, while agriculturists, agricultural engineers, and aquaculturists are conducting assessments in their assigned areas.

Report officers and validators are on standby to prepare subsequent damage reports as further information becomes available, the OPA indicated in its report.