A total of 26 areas across the Philippines are now reeling from drought due to prolonged dry weather conditions, according to the state weather bureau.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) revealed that its latest assessment, which analyzed rainfall data from December 2025 to May 24, 2026, confirmed consecutive months of critically low precipitation in the affected regions.
During a climate forum, PAGASA weather specialist Ryan Diocampo highlighted that sustained water deficits are heavily impacting Luzon and several parts of the Visayas.
“Mula Mayo 1-24 ay mapapansin po natin na may malaking bahagi pa rin po ng Luzon at ilang probinsya sa western Visayas ang nakatanggap ng higit na mababa kaysa karaniwan na pag-ulan,” Diocampo explained.
According to PAGASA’s metrics, 37 areas in Luzon and the Visayas suffered from “way below-normal” rainfall, which denotes a deficit of more than 40% compared to average levels. In contrast, only the southern portion of Eastern Visayas saw better conditions, while 28 areas—mostly situated in Mindanao—enjoyed “near-normal” rainfall. Another 18 areas experienced “below-normal” rainfall, and only two logged “above-normal” moisture.
The state weather bureau officially declares a drought when an area endures three consecutive months of “way below-normal” rainfall conditions.
“Ito po ay three consecutive months na way below normal rainfall condition,” Diocampo added.
The 26 provinces currently classified under drought status include Metro Manila, Abra, Albay, Apayao, Bataan, Benguet, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Laguna, Masbate, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Pangasinan, Quirino, and Rizal.
Meanwhile, 25 other areas are experiencing a dry spell, which is characterized by three straight months of “below-normal” rainfall.
“Ito po ay ang mga lalawigan na merong three consecutive months na merong below-normal rainfall condition,” Diocampo said.
The dry spell list covers Aurora, Batanes, Batangas, Bulacan, Cagayan, Cavite, Marinduque, Palawan, Kalayaan Island, Pampanga, Quezon, Romblon, Tarlac, Zambales, Aklan, Biliran, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Northern Samar, Siquijor, Southern Leyte, Davao City, Sarangani, and Tawi-Tawi.
Relief may be on the horizon, as PAGASA forecasts near-normal rainfall across most of the archipelago from June to September.
Furthermore, an intensified southwest monsoon (habagat) is expected to bring above-normal rainfall to the western sections of the country between July and August.