By ILOILO CITY – According to the latest report from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the El Niño phenomenon in the country gradually weakens and neutral conditions may return in April-May-June this year. It can be noted that the current El Niño in the country began last June 2023.
Based on the latest report of the Department of Agriculture (DA) last April 23, El Niño has caused at least ₱4.39 billion worth of damage and losses to farms in 11 regions around the country, affecting more than 85,000 farmers.
Western Visayas was amongst the hardest hit regions together with MIMAROPA. According to the Panay Center for Disaster Response (PCDR), a non-government organization based in Western Visayas, the agricultural losses in the region have reached more than P1.367 billion, affecting at least 40,000 farmers. This, according to PCDR, was based on the consolidated report from the national and local government and reports from its local network during a series of consultations and assessments on the ground.
Based on said report from PCDR, Iloilo Province tops with the highest worth of damage to agriculture amounting to more than P689.819 million followed by Antique Province with P213.527 million, Capiz Province with P184.630 million, Negros Occidental Province with 168.838 million, Aklan Province with P93.683 million, and Guimaras Province with P19.589 million. PCDR added that farmers have experienced 30 – 70% yield loss, while fisherfolk have experienced a 50% decline in fish catch.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture says drought to worsen in Western Visayas provinces before May. Moreover, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council VI (RDRRMC VI) has elevated its alert status to BLUE, starting April 23, in light of the El Niño phenomenon gripping the region.
Several local government units have already issued a state of calamity due to El Nino. The province was first to declare a provincial-wide state of calamity in Western Visayas, last April 18, 2024. Moreover, the towns of Sara, Estancia, and Bingawan in Iloilo Province have also declared a state of calamity, as well as the towns of Buenavista and San Lorenzo in Guimaras Province, and San Enrique in Negros Occidental.
Despite these, affected farmers are yet to receive aid from the government. According to Cathy Estavillo, secretary-general of Amihan, a peasant women’s group, it seems like the government is tricking the farmers into entering into more debt amidst the losses they are experiencing by giving them loan assistance and mere assurance.
That is why different organizations like PCDR and its network in Western Visayas are now on the move to assist the affected farmers. According to the group, the farmers and fisherfolk expressed the need for food and livelihood assistance.
On the other hand, PAGASA warns the public that there is a 55% possibility that La Niña will develop in the next six months starting June-August this year. However, the agency will not yet issue an alert as they will have to continue monitoring./PT
