CAPIZ – Agricultural losses in Capiz due to the ongoing El Niño phenomenon have reached P488.1 million, affecting 18,760 farmers and damaging approximately 13,375 hectares of farmland across the province.
Data from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), based on its November 3 drought status report, showed that rice production accounted for the bulk of the losses at P416.1 million.
Corn production sustained P66.5 million in damages, while high-value crops incurred P5.5 million in losses.
The figures were presented during the Provincial El Niño Task Force coordination meeting on November 5, as provincial officials intensified preparations for worsening dry conditions.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that the dry spell could intensify, with parts of Capiz potentially experiencing drought conditions by the end of November.
In response to the looming threat, Gov. Fredenil H. Castro convened national government agencies and local officials to operationalize Executive Order No. 31, Series of 2026, which established the Capiz Provincial El Niño Task Force.
Castro, who chairs the task force, emphasized the need for a coordinated and immediate response to mitigate the effects of the prolonged dry spell on agriculture, water resources, public health and local livelihoods.
He directed participating national government agencies, local chief executives and technical working groups to submit concrete action plans and inventories of available emergency assistance that could be immediately deployed as water shortages worsen.
A key component of the province’s mitigation efforts is the establishment of a centralized El Niño Command Center, which will coordinate response operations across Capiz’s 16 municipalities.
The facility will serve as a central monitoring and coordination hub, consolidating field reports, updates from municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices, and concerns raised by residents.
It will also oversee the timely distribution of emergency water supplies, agricultural assistance and medical aid to vulnerable communities.
The provincial government will continuously adjust its response measures based on ground reports and the latest climate advisories from PAGASA./PN
