In a recent update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the El Niño weather phenomenon has inflicted a staggering P941.73 million in damages to the agriculture sector as of February 29.
This significant increase in reported losses comes after the council’s previous announcement on Wednesday, which estimated the damage at P865.16 million.
According to the latest situation report, Western Visayas has borne the brunt of the impact, with damages surpassing half a billion pesos at P564.05 million.
Following closely is Mimaropa, registering losses at P319.75 million, while the Ilocos region, Calabarzon, and Zamboanga Peninsula reported damages at P54.45 million, P2.75 million, and P0.71 million, respectively.
The notable surge in the total cost of damage is attributed to the additional losses incurred in Western Visayas over a single day, amounting to P76.57 million.
The widespread effects of El Niño have manifested in the form of damage to 14,854.86 hectares of crops, affecting the livelihoods of 16,709 farmers and fisherfolk.
El Niño is known for increasing the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, leading to dry spells and droughts that impact agricultural productivity. In response to the escalating crisis, the municipality of Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro declared a state of calamity last Monday.
Taking proactive measures, the Philippine Air Force executed cloud seeding operations in Cagayan and Isabela last Sunday and Monday.
These efforts aimed to mitigate the adverse effects of El Niño by inducing rainfall in the affected regions.
The importance of such interventions cannot be overstated, given the severity of the agricultural damages and the potential threat to food security.
The NDRRMC continues to closely monitor the situation and collaborate with relevant agencies to address the challenges cuased by El Niño.
As the agricultural sector grapples with substantial losses, efforts to provide assistance to affected farmers and implement strategies for sustainable recovery are underway.
Keep Reading: DA records 100 M damages in agriculture due to El Niño
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