El Niño’s Toll on Philippine Agriculture Rises to P941 Million

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has reported a significant increase in the financial toll on agriculture due to the El Niño phenomenon, with damages now surpassing P941 million. This recent update underscores the extensive impact of the prolonged dry spell on the agricultural sector across various regions in the Philippines.

Western Visayas bears the brunt of the agricultural damage, with losses amounting to over P564 million, followed by Mimaropa with P319 million, and other regions also facing substantial impacts. In San Miguel, Bulacan, more than half of the barangays have suffered from crop damages, with Barangay Sacdalan experiencing the most severe effects.

The El Niño has affected a total of 16,709 farmers and fisherfolks, along with 14,854 hectares of agricultural land. Efforts are underway to mitigate the losses, with most affected farmers insured by the Philippine Crop Insurance, which is set to conduct inspections for validation.

Local governments are considering measures such as establishing water impoundments and promoting alternative high-value crops to support affected farmers. The scarcity of water has led to significant challenges, including the cessation of irrigation services in some areas, leading to dried-up fields and a delay in the usual harvest period.

The situation is dire in other parts of the country as well, with communities in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, and Zamboanga City facing water shortages for drinking and agriculture. The municipal government of Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, has declared a state of calamity in response to the dried-up rivers and fields affecting water supply and crops.

To date, assistance totaling P362.5 million has been provided to those impacted in Mimaropa, as efforts continue to address the widespread effects of El Niño. The phenomenon, characterized by abnormal warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, leads to reduced rainfall and has been affecting the country since its declaration in July last year. Although the mature stage of El Niño is expected to end soon, its residual effects will likely persist, posing ongoing challenges for the agricultural sector and water resources.