AGRICULTURAL damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon has surged to P2.63 billion, while the government has distributed P1.1 billion in assistance.
In its latest bulletin, the Department of Agriculture said the weather phenomenon had affected 53,879 hectares (ha) of farmland, equivalent to 116,792 metric tons (MT) of production volume.
Losses were incurred in 10 regions: the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Soccsksargen.
The dry spell is estimated to have damaged 72,733 metric tons of palay, 35,885 MT of corn, and 8,173 MT of high-value crops.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 18 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity due to the effects of the El Niño on their agriculture.
This includes all the 11 municipalities in Occidental Mindoro; Bulalacao and Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro; San Vicente, Palawan; San Andres, Romblon; Mayoyao, Ifugao; Sibalom, Antique; and Zamboanga City.
Task Force El Niño spokesman and Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama said that number might increase as some municipalities were looking into declaring a state of calamity.
"We have other provinces considering declaring a state of calamity, but they need to meet certain criteria," said Villarama, referring to Iloilo City.
Villarama said a municipality or city can declare a state a calamity if at least 15 percent of the population is affected, 30 percent of livelihoods are affected, and structures or vital installations are also affected.
"As much as we want LGUs to declare a state of calamity to access the local calamity fund and assistance from the national government, it is necessary to adhere to the guidelines to ensure a smooth process," the official said.
Moreover, the Agriculture Department said that the National Irrigation Administration has installed 570 water augmentation pumps in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas regions to ensure water in these areas.
Concreting of irrigation canals is also ongoing, which improved 847.82 kilometers of irrigation canals, benefiting 40,621 farmers nationwide. Irrigation canals are also being cleared of silt, improving the water flow of 3,167.95 kilometers of irrigation canals nationwide.
Crop insurance
Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allocated some P4.5 billion to cover the crop insurance premiums of subsistence farmers and fishers.
Around 2.3 million local farmers are expected to benefit from the full coverage of crop insurance premiums funded by the allocated P4.5 billion special allotment release order for the first quarter this year.
This includes a specific notice of cash allocation of P900 million directed at the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC).
"In light of the escalating challenges posed by climate change, which heightens the risks to both our economy and food security, it becomes imperative to prioritize the provision of financial security and insurance to empower our farmers and fishermen," Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
"This assistance is intended to help them safeguard their means of living, ensuring they can continue their activities despite unforeseen events," she added.
Pangandaman signed the release order on March 19, 2024.
Last year, the PCIC provided insurance coverage to over 2.3 million farmers and fishermen registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), surpassing the target by 44,855 beneficiaries.
The PCIC's main role is to offer insurance to farmers, protecting them from losses caused by natural disasters, plant diseases, pest outbreaks, and damage or loss of agricultural assets like machinery, equipment, and infrastructure due to insured risks.