ILOILO – The municipality of Lambunao has declared a state of calamity after prolonged dry conditions linked to the El Niño phenomenon inflicted an estimated P46 million in agricultural losses, affecting 2,605 farmers and damaging 1,763 hectares of farmland.
The Sangguniang Bayan approved Resolution No. 2026-152 during its regular session on November 9, allowing the municipal government to mobilize calamity funds and accelerate assistance to farmers and communities grappling with dwindling water supplies.
According to the Municipal Agriculture Office, the 2,605 affected farmers represent 37.8 percent of Lambunao’s farming population.
Lambunao became the second municipality in Iloilo province to declare a state of calamity due to El Niño, following Dueñas, which also reported substantial damage to rice, corn and high-value crops.
“The declaration allows the local government unit to mobilize calamity funds for urgent response measures, relief operations, and assistance to affected households and sectors, particularly farmers and communities experiencing water shortages. This is part of the municipality’s coordinated efforts to protect the welfare and live hoods of Lambunaonon’s,” the Sangguniang Bayan said in a statement.
The declaration comes amid warnings from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that Iloilo province, already experiencing a dry spell, could face more severe drought conditions extending into the first half of 2027.
Jeff Patrick J. Maquiling, weather facilities technician of PAGASA Iloilo, said a dry spell occurs when an area experiences three consecutive months of below-normal rainfall, representing a 21 to 60 percent reduction, or two consecutive months of rainfall deficits exceeding 60 percent.
Drought, a more severe condition, occurs when rainfall falls more than 60 percent below normal for three consecutive months or remains 21 to 60 percent below normal for five consecutive months.
With the possibility of worsening rainfall deficits, Lambunao’s calamity declaration provides a mechanism for the local government to intensify relief efforts and protect agricultural livelihoods as the province braces for potentially prolonged water shortages./PN
