ILOILO – A worsening dry spell has now inflicted P232.54 million in agricultural losses across Iloilo Province, devastating thousands of hectares of farmland and affecting nearly 9,500 farmers, as the provincial government moves to strengthen its drought response ahead of a potentially more destructive El Niño episode.
Data from the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) as of October 12 showed that agricultural damage had reached P232,543,503, with rice production bearing the brunt of the prolonged lack of rainfall.
At least 9,472 farmers have been affected across 6,752.15 hectares of agricultural land, raising concerns over farm productivity, farmers’ livelihoods and the province’s food security.
Rice accounted for P223,060,675 in losses, followed by corn at P9,275,827 and high-value crops at P207,000.
PAO acting head Geron Magbanua said eight municipalities had reported agricultural damage: Lambunao, San Enrique, Dueñas, Banate, Janiuay, Bingawan, Lemery and Concepcion. Dueñas has already declared a state of calamity.
The mounting losses come as Iloilo braces for what provincial agriculture officials anticipate could be a “super strong” El Niño episode from the latter part of 2026 through the first quarter of 2027.
Drought preparations intensified
During the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) meeting on October 13, presided over by Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias, Magbanua presented the province’s expanded drought mitigation measures.
He said the provincial government had reviewed its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and increased proposed interventions and budget requirements in anticipation of more extensive agricultural damage.
“Ang aton NAP gin-review sang nagligad nga semana which nagdaku ang budget requirement. Sang previous year medyo nubo ang budget but because of the extent nga ginatan-aw naton nga madaku ang damage, gindugangan naton ang intervention, especially sa amount and number of intervention,” Magbanua said.
The provincial government developed the adaptation plan in 2021 in anticipation of recurring El Niño conditions and incorporated its measures into regular agricultural programs.
However, the projected severity of the coming dry conditions prompted officials to reassess existing preparations and expand both the scope and funding of interventions.
Among the measures are irrigation assistance for Bingawan, Lemery and New Lucena, alongside ongoing improvements to irrigation canals in Batad, Janiuay and San Miguel.
The PAO has also distributed 49 solar-powered irrigation pumps to various municipalities, including Igbaras, Miag-ao, Tubungan, Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Zarraga, Badiangan, Calinog, Janiuay, Lambunao, Banate, Dumangas, San Enrique, Ajuy, Balasan, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Lemery, San Dionisio and Sara.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) likewise conducted cloud-seeding operations from September 10 to 29 in selected areas covering Calinog, Barotac Viejo, San Enrique, San Rafael, Lemery, Pototan, Dingle, Estancia and Anilao.
Relief, crop insurance eyed
Under Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s administration, the provincial government is also preparing additional agricultural assistance to cushion the impact of prolonged dry conditions.
These include maintaining buffer stocks of seedlings and rice, distributing agricultural chemicals should pest infestations emerge because of extreme heat, and conducting additional cloud-seeding operations when necessary.
Magbanua said the province was also looking to national government agencies for financial assistance to farmers whose livelihoods have been disrupted.
Among the agencies expected to provide interventions are the DA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Affected farmers registered under the Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) may also qualify for crop insurance indemnity through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
The provincial government allocates funds annually to cover farmers’ insurance premiums, allowing qualified beneficiaries to claim indemnity payments ranging from P15,000 to P20,000./PN
