BACOLOD CITY, April 26 -- Rice and corn farmers in Negros Occidental reported damage to crops totaling PHP197.153 million due to prolonged dry weather caused by El Nino, a report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) on Friday showed.

Damage to rice alone reached PHP192.208 million in 25 local government units (LGUs) while damage to corn was PHP4.944 million in six others.

Drought hit 3,623.63 hectares of rice crops tilled by 4,944 farmers, the report added.

Worst-hit is Cauayan town, which incurred PHP66.139 million in damage to rice crops, followed by Kabankalan City with PHP41.9 million.

Other LGUs with the highest reported damage to rice are Himamaylan City, PHP13.499 million; Candoni, PHP10.3 million; Valladolid, PH...