Drought, dry spell to affect 72 provinces

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 72 provinces will experience below average rainfall by the end of this month, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA said these provinces would experience dry conditions to dry spell and drought.

State climatologists said 41 provinces would be affected by drought from only 31 in March.

Capiz, Siquijor, Southern Leyte, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay are among those expected to be affected by drought.

Drought conditions are characterized by below normal rainfall or a reduction of 21 to 60 percent compared to the average for five consecutive months, or below normal rainfall for three consecutive months.

PAGASA said 23 provinces would experience dry spell while eight provinces would experience dry conditions.

Dry spell means below normal rainfall for three consecutive months while dry conditions are characterized by below normal rainfall for two months.

PAGASA said the impact of El Niño would continue to be felt across the country along with the warm and dry season.

Temperatures may reach over 40 degrees Celsius in the coming weeks.

State of calamity eyed in Kabankalan

Meanwhile, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) has recommended the declaration of a state of calamity in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental due to drought, according to Mayor Benjie Miranda.

A report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said 1,126 hectares of rice and corn fields in 13 barangays and 1,214 farmers were affected.

Losses were estimated at P41.9 million.

Miranda said water rationing is being conducted in 32 barangays.

The city council held a special session on Tuesday upon the request of the mayor’s office, to discuss proposals to place Kabankalan City under a state of calamity.

San Enrique town, also in Negros Occidental, had earlier been placed under a state of calamity.

Local government units under a state of calamity can tap their calamity funds to assist affected residents and implement measures to mitigate the impact of El Niño.

Meanwhile, farmers and fisherfolk in La Union affected by El Niño will receive financial assistance from the provincial government.

La Union Gov. Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David said Provincial Ordinance No. 425-2023 allocated P3 million in agricultural emergency trust fund to provide P8,000 to P10,000 aid to around 300 farmers. –  Gilbert Bayoran, Artemio Dumlao