MANILA, Philippines – More than 35 areas across the country are now under state of calamity due to the effects of El Niño.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), eight provinces and 31 cities and municipalities have recorded extreme damage in agriculture, particularly corn and palay, with an estimated value of P5.051 billion pesos.
The areas under state of calamity are:
CAR – Paracelis, Mt. Province
REGION II- Dupax del Norte, Nueva Viscaya
CALABARZON – Quezon Province
MIMAROPA – San Jose and Rizal, Occidental Mindoro ; Sta Cruz, Marinduque
REGION V – Camarines Sur
REGION VI – Lambunao and Bingawan, Iloilo; Murcia, Negros Occidental
REGION VII – Cebu
REGION IX – Zamboanga City
REGION XII – COTABATO Alamada, M’lang, Pikit, Aleosan, Magpet, Tulan, Arakan, Cotabato, Matalam, Kidapawan City, Lutayan, Sulatan Kudarat; Alabel Sarangani; Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat; T’Boli, South Cotabato; Sultan Kudarat Province
MAGUINDANAO, BARMM
Paglat, Sultan Kudarat; Matanog; Datu Abdullah Sangki ; Pagalungan; Upi ; Ampatuan Province of Basilan
About 164,000 farmers and over 177, 000 hectares of farmlands are now affected, the NDRRMC said.
Meanwhile, the water level in Angat Dam continues to recede due to El Niño.
According to PAGASA, water reserve in Angat Dam has dropped by half a meter to 185.15 meters on Wednesday (April 17) as compared to its measurement yesterday.
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) advised farmlands to brace for the possible cut in irrigation once the water level in Angat Dam further drops to 180 meters as the agency opts to prioritize water requirement in Metro Manila. – Marje Pelayo (with details from Rey Pelayo)
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