MANILA, Philippines — Nearly 400,000 people have been affected by the continuing El Niño phenomenon as agricultural damage nationwide surpassed ₱5.4 billion, according to the latest situational report from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
As of Sunday, October 4, the OCD reported that 104,149 families, or 388,375 individuals, were affected across 893 barangays in four regions.
Caraga (Region 13) recorded the largest number of affected individuals, with 291,381 people from 45,507 families in 140 barangays. Cagayan Valley (Region 2) followed with 47,587 affected families across 714 barangays.
Bicol (Region 5) reported 49,216 affected individuals from 11,055 families in 39 barangays, while CALABARZON (Region 4A), covering Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon, recorded 191 affected individuals.
The agricultural sector has suffered significant losses, with 199,857 farmers and fisherfolk affected nationwide. Production losses were estimated at 112,862.46 metric tons, while total agricultural damage reached ₱5,469,783,534.84.
Cagayan Valley accounted for the biggest portion of the agricultural losses, affecting 194,249 farmers and fisherfolk. The region recorded ₱4,967,931,223 in damage and 93,343 metric tons in lost production.
In CALABARZON, 191 farmers and fisherfolk were affected, with agricultural damage estimated at ₱19,704,214.20 and production losses reaching 1,299.89 metric tons.
Bicol reported 932 affected farmers and fisherfolk, ₱37,479,880.45 in damage and 1,142.36 metric tons in production losses.
Davao (Region 11) recorded 3,494 affected farmers and fisherfolk, with damage estimated at ₱410,092,523.76 and production losses reaching 16,428.88 metric tons.
Soccsksargen (Region 12), which includes South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City, reported 351 affected farmers and fisherfolk. Agricultural damage in the region was placed at ₱12,566,135.73, while production losses reached 237.23 metric tons.
In Caraga, 640 farmers and fisherfolk were affected, while agricultural damage reached ₱22,009,557.70 and production losses stood at 185 metric tons.
106 AREAS DECLARED UNDER STATE OF CALAMITY
The prolonged dry conditions have also led local governments to declare states of calamity in 106 cities and municipalities.
Cagayan Valley accounted for 66 of these areas, followed by Caraga with 23, Bicol with 12, CALABARZON with four and Soccsksargen with one.
Caraga also reported 39 fire incidents involving wildland, forest or mountain areas amid the prolonged dry conditions.
The national government has so far provided ₱39,058,681.06 worth of assistance to communities affected by El Niño in Cagayan Valley, Bicol and Caraga.
Authorities have warned that the dry conditions could intensify in the coming months.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier confirmed the presence of El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific after indicators showed a warming trend in relative sea surface temperatures in May.
El Niño typically increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall, raising the threat of dry spells and drought in affected parts of the country.
Last month, PAGASA issued an advisory forecasting a “very strong” El Niño from September to December, with the phenomenon potentially continuing through the first half of 2027 based on its models and assessments.