Deep cracks split a parched rice field in Agusan del Sur as El Niño devastates crops and threatens water supplies, prompting the province to declare a state of calamity on October 2, 2026. (Courtesy: Province of Agusan del Sur)

The strong El Niño has inflicted P6.87 billion in agricultural damage across the country, affecting more than 223,000 farmers and 249,028 hectares of farmlands, even as the Department of Agriculture (DA) braces for the weather phenomenon to intensify through the end of the year and potentially persist into the first half of 2027.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is ramping up nationwide measures to secure water supplies, protect forests and watersheds, prevent forest fires, and safeguard communities and ecosystems as El Niño threatens to intensify.

In another development, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started its implementation of preparedness and risk-mitigating measures to address the possible effects of the super El Niño phenomenon.

The DA said losses have been reported across rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, livestock and poultry, with field assessments from 14 regions putting total production losses at 163,812 metric tons (MT). The figures remain subject to validation.

Corn accounted for most of the reported losses at 126,883 MT, equivalent to about 1.44 percent of the government’s 8.80-million-MT production target for 2026. Rice losses reached 25,196 MT, or about 0.12 percent of the 20.29-million-MT national production target this year.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA is preparing for a potentially stronger El Niño by securing fertilizer, bio-fertilizer and seeds for areas with sufficient water, while promoting alternative crops such as corn and drought-resistant mung beans in areas facing water shortages.

He said the country’s rice supply remains adequate, with worst-case estimates showing buffer stocks still covering about 75 days of consumption by the end of December and into January, supported by continuing harvests and water reserves in major dams replenished by recent floods.

Tiu Laurel said the government also has the option to import rice if prolonged dry conditions significantly affect domestic production.

He said imports would not necessarily lead to higher retail prices, as the DA is taking measures to keep global rice prices at reasonable levels.

He stressed, however, that the impact on next year’s crop has yet to be determined and would depend on whether the dry spell persists into the first half of 2027.

Based on the latest DOST-PAGASA outlook cited by the DA, a strong El Niño is already present in the tropical Pacific, with most models indicating that the phenomenon could persist through the first half of 2027 and reach a very strong state by the end of this year.

The DA has deployed P10.96 billion in interventions to cushion the impact on farmers, exceeding the value of agricultural damage reported so far.

Of the total, P10.53 billion went to production support, including seeds, fertilizers and soil conditioners, while the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. released P427.07 million in indemnification to 42,383 affected farmers.

The government has also installed 338 water pumps in several regions, distributed 23,459 native chickens and conducted cloud-seeding operations in agricultural and watershed areas in Cagayan Valley, including the Magat Dam area.

Water supply conditions at major dams remain generally stable, with reservoirs above their respective low-water levels. Most are also above their operational rule curves following recoveries since around midyear.

Pantabangan Dam, however, remained 8.72 meters below its target level, while San Roque Dam has exceeded its normal high-water level.

National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Larry Lacson said rice import requirements for this year and next year would depend on the severity and duration of El Niño.

He said the government would need alternative sources if drought significantly reduces domestic production to ensure affordable rice remains available.

Lacson said the government currently expects rice imports to reach about 5 million MT this year, while requirements for the first quarter of 2027 remain uncertain.

January and February are traditionally lean months before the next harvest begins around late February or March, he said, making prolonged drought a potential threat to production.

Tiu Laurel said the DA is not being complacent, noting that an El Niño crisis committee meets weekly to monitor forecasts, update data and coordinate measures to mitigate the impact.

The DA is also adjusting assistance based on the expected severity of the dry spell, with greater support directed to areas where production can still be sustained rather than concentrating resources in areas expected to be hardest hit. Other measures include early planting, crop diversification, solar-powered pumps, small water impounding projects, cloud seeding and the use of foliar fertilizers.

Meanwhile, the DENR said it would continue monitoring weather and irrigation conditions, validating vulnerable agricultural areas and identifying additional interventions as El Niño progresses.

The department is developing additional water sources, promoting water conservation and strengthening measures to protect personnel from extreme heat as DOST-PAGASA warns that the climate pattern could intensify into a very strong event before the end of 2026 and persist through the first half of 2027.

“With the critical action window now upon us, every DENR unit must proactively execute climate adaptation and risk reduction protocols,” DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said.

As of early October 2026, the water level at La Mesa Dam is stable at around 79.10 to 79.14 meters, remaining below its 80.15-meter spilling (overflow) level and safely above its 79.50-meter critical threshold. (Photo by Manny Palmero)

Water saving practices

“By closely coordinating with local government units, monitoring our vital water systems, and promoting strict conservation practices, we are taking decisive steps to protect our communities, ecosystems, and natural resources from the severe impacts of this climate phenomenon,” he added.

The DENR has mobilized its regional offices, line bureaus and field units to strengthen preparedness and mitigation measures.
It has constructed small water impounding structures and rainwater harvesting systems to provide additional water supplies during periods of limited rainfall.

DENR regional offices and attached agencies are also strengthening water conservation, watershed monitoring, forest-fire prevention, ecosystem protection and heat-safety measures in coordination with local governments and other stakeholders.

In Central Luzon, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Pampanga and regional field units are conducting information campaigns in barangays and community colleges in Guagua and Lubao to promote water-saving practices, including using buckets instead of hoses, reusing greywater, repairing leaks and harvesting rainwater.

DENR Region 3 is also monitoring possible coral bleaching associated with elevated sea surface temperatures in coastal areas, including Aurora.

In Caraga, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau has advised mining companies and processing plants to manage water demand, check for leaks, harvest rainwater, and establish cooling stations and early warning systems for extreme heat.

The bureau has also sent advisories to provincial governors in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands to strengthen local disaster risk reduction and management councils and monitor critical watersheds.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Management Bureau in Region 11 has strengthened health and safety measures for field personnel, including limiting high-exposure outdoor work from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing personal protective equipment and ensuring continuous hydration.

The DENR said the measures are intended to help secure water supplies during dry periods, protect forests and watersheds, and safeguard communities and livelihoods that depend on healthy ecosystems.

The department said early action, continuous monitoring and coordination with local governments and other stakeholders would help strengthen the country’s climate resilience and enable communities to better manage the effects of El Niño.

“The DSWD is implementing its Risk Resiliency Program-Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (RRP-CCAM) measures which includes the Project Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished (BINHI),” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said.

Project LAWA and BINHI

One of the things that DSWD is implementing is our Risk Resiliency Program-Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (RRP-CCAM) measures, including Project Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished (BINHI)

Dumlao, concurrent DSWD spokesperson, explained that Project LAWA at BINHI utilizes technology-driven, grassroots initiatives to help beneficiaries adapt to climate shifts and build long-term self-sufficiency.

“We are focused on water access and water sufficiency, and naturally, we are also addressing food security. We do not simply take action when disasters strike; we also ensure that vulnerable sectors are empowered to prepare for and address their needs when faced with other climate hazards affecting their areas,” she said.

As of press time, the DSWD has successfully established 5,311 LAWA sites featuring farm reservoirs, irrigation facilities, and rehabilitated waterways.

Meanwhile, 8,671 BINHI sites in the form of communal vegetable gardens and root crop farms have been established nationwide.

On September 28, Secretary Rex Gatchalian inaugurated the very first Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) system with hybrid power source, under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program.

The AWG sub-project is a technology that extracts moisture from humid air and convert it into potable drinking water that will help provide a sustainable solution to the persistent water shortage in Barangay Gilotongan, Cawayan, Masbate.

In terms of disaster response, Dumlao said that the DSWD is also holding risk mitigation measures to prevent the spoilage of family food packs (FFPs) that are prepositioned in different warehouses across the country.

“Mayroong monitoring ng temperature sa atin pong mga warehouses, so alam natin, kasi may mga parameters tayong sinusunod to make sure that our goods are not spoiled, hindi nasisira kapag nasa mga warehouses. So again, there’s monitoring of warehouse temperature and pangalawa, nag–i-install din tayo ng mga industrial ceiling fans to also manage the temperature in our warehouses,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.

We have temperature monitoring in our warehouses, so we are aware of the conditions; we follow specific parameters to ensure our goods do not spoil or get damaged while stored there. So again, there is warehouse temperature monitoring, and secondly, we are also installing industrial ceiling fans to help manage the temperature in our warehouses,” the DSW…

To protect internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the adverse effects of soaring temperatures, the Department is also coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to set up heat insulation in evacuation centers.

— Othel V. Campos, Rio N. Araja & Maricel Cruz