The Philippine agriculture sector is suffering ₱1.23 billion worth of damage due to the impacts of the strong and mature El Niño, according to the latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
As of March 13, NDRRMC said the ₱1.23 billion worth of damage is equivalent to a production loss of 44,845 metric tons.
The production losses were recorded in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula, affecting a total of 29,409 farmers as well as fisherfolks.
Of the 44,845 MT production loss, the agency said 11,276 MT crops were totally damaged and 15,455 MT crops were partially damaged.
As per NDRRMC, 30 families or 142 individuals in one barangay in Western Visayas are greatly affected by the El Niño.
The agency said the government has provided financial assistance worth ₱426 million to 78,487 individuals in MIMAROPA.
The state weather bureau PAGASA earlier said hot and humid weather will persist alongside the effects of the strong and mature El Niño once the warm and dry season, often referred to as the summer season, begins.
Ana Solis, officer-in-charge of PAGASA climatology and agrometeorology division, said they will officially declare the start of the warm and dry season after the end of amihan or northeast monsoon.
