Capiz El Niño agricultural losses reach PHP 488 million

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Agricultural damage caused by the ongoing El Niño phenomenon in Capiz has reached PHP 488.1 million, affecting thousands of farmers across the province.

Based on the drought status report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) dated Nov. 3, 2026, approximately 13,375 hectares of agricultural land have been damaged, affecting 18,760 farmers.

The figures were presented during the Provincial El Niño Task Force coordination meeting on Thursday morning, Nov. 5.

Rice plantations accounted for the largest losses at approximately PHP 416.1 million, followed by corn at PHP 66.5 million and high-value crops at PHP 5.5 million.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that dry conditions could worsen in Capiz, with drought potentially affecting parts of the province by the end of November.

The Capiz provincial government convened the Provincial El Niño Task Force on Nov. 5 to coordinate preparations and strengthen measures against the effects of a very strong El Niño, which is expected to bring prolonged dry spells and drought conditions.

Led by Gov. Fredenil “Oto” Castro, the meeting was held at the Governor’s Hall of the Provincial Capitol and attended by representatives of key national and local government agencies.

Municipal mayors and their representatives also attended the meeting, led by Maayon Mayor Raymond Malapajo, who concurrently serves as president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Capiz chapter.

With forecasts pointing to a prolonged El Niño, the task force is establishing preventive measures and developing a unified, multiagency strategy to mitigate its impact.

“Our primary focus is securing local water reserves, supporting our agricultural sector, and reinforcing public health and disaster management systems across the province,” Castro said.

The governor added that the provincial government is strengthening its preparedness against prolonged dry conditions through coordinated planning and strategic deployment of resources.

Malapajo, meanwhile, expressed hope that under Castro’s leadership, the province would achieve full preparedness to ensure that no Capiznon is left behind during the climate crisis.

He stressed that local government units across the province fully support the task force’s preventive measures.

The task force was created under Executive Order No. 31, Series of 2026, issued by Castro on Oct. 21 to coordinate provincial efforts to protect water supplies, agricultural livelihoods, public health and essential services.

Under the executive order, the task force is required to formulate a Provincial El Niño Action Plan within 15 calendar days of the order’s effectivity.

The action plan is expected to identify vulnerable agricultural areas, assess water supply and demand, and establish measures to address potential shortages and protect affected communities.

The provincial government has also been implementing measures to support farmers, including crop insurance, seed assistance and preparations for alternative livelihood programs.

In October, the provincial agriculture office reported that it was implementing a PHP 3 million calamity crop insurance program for rice and corn farmers.

It also maintained a reserve of 800 bags of certified rice seeds, weighing 20 kilograms each, for distribution to farmers as needed.

Meanwhile, PAGASA confirmed on Nov. 4 that a very strong El Niño was already present in the tropical Pacific and was expected to persist until the first half of 2027, potentially reaching its peak before the end of 2026.

The state weather bureau warned that most parts of the country could experience below-normal to way-below-normal rainfall in November, increasing the risks of water shortages, agricultural losses and drought.

PAGASA urged government agencies and the public to prioritize water conservation and implement measures to minimize the potential effects of El Niño.

With agricultural losses already approaching PHP 500 million, the provincial government’s response will be critical in protecting farmers’ livelihoods, securing water supplies and preventing further damage to Capiz’s agricultural sector.