CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro: The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) (Provincial Board) of Occidental Mindoro passed a resolution declaring the entire province under a state of calamity because of the drought brought by El Niño.

In a message to The Manila Times on Wednesday, March 20, Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction officer (PDRRMO) Mario Mulingbayan said that the provincial board approved Resolution 04 (Series of 2024) declaring a state of calamity in the province during their regular session on Tuesday, March 19.

Mulingbayan said a budget request of P8.5 million from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund had also been approved. The budget will be allocated as a quick response fund, or standby fund, for relief and recovery programs for affected communities. Part of the budget will be allocated for fuel subsidies and provision of pesticides.

The PDRRMO, chaired by Occidental Mindoro Gov. Eduardo Gadiano, recommended on March 12 the declaration due to the damage and losses incurred in the face of a prolonged drought.

Based on the damage report of the Provincial Agriculture Office on March 12, damage to crops reached P259,812,816.98.The PDRRMO conducted a rapid damage assessment and needs analysis which showed the extent of the damage of the drought. The municipalities of Looc, Magsaysay and San Jose had declared a state of calamity in their locality, prompting the PDRRM council to recommend to the SP a province-wide declaration.

Meanwhile, Sablayan town Mayor Walter "Bong" Marquez sent a text message to The Times on March 20 that they also declared a state of calamity in their locality as more agricultural lands were rendered barren because of the lack of rainfall. Most river systems in the town already dried up, affecting the irrigation system.