DUMAGUETE CITY, March 26 -- As the El Nino phenomenon worsens in Negros Oriental, damage to rice, corn, and other high-value crops has reached more than PHP80.4 million, the Department of Agriculture-Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO) said Tuesday.

Alejandro Rafal, provincial head of DA-PATCO, told the Philippine News Agency that as of March 26, nine local government units (LGUs) have submitted their reports on damage and losses -- Mabinay, Zamboanguita, Vallehermoso, Manjuyod, and the cities of Bayawan, Bais, Dumaguete, Tanjay, and Canlaon.

The number of farmers and fisherfolk affected was placed at 3,048 while the areas affected totaled 1,650 hectares.

Damaged were over 672 hectares of farmland with no c...