• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Island Region (NIR) is expected to face worsening drought conditions in the coming months, with Negros Occidental forecast to shift from a dry spell in November to drought from December until March 2027, the Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) said.
Negros Oriental and Siquijor are also expected to experience drought conditions starting this November and lasting until March next year.
DA-NIR Disaster Risk Reduction and Management chief Engr. Marion Joseph Tagle urged farmers and other stakeholders to prepare for possible water shortages and further crop losses despite intermittent rains still being experienced in parts of Negros Occidental.
According to PAGASA, a strong El Niño remains present in the tropical Pacific and may persist until the first half of 2027, with the possibility of intensifying into a very strong or Super El Niño by yearend.
The prolonged dry conditions have already caused an estimated P40.9 million in damage to rice and corn production across the region, affecting 2,353 farmers and 1,483 hectares of agricultural land.
DA-NIR data showed total production losses reached 1,593 metric tons as of Nov. 5, including 1,366 MT of rice and 195.35 MT of corn.
Tagle said rice and corn are the only commodities so far with reported El Niño-related damage, adding that no livestock losses have been recorded.
He stressed the need for farmers and local government units to adopt mitigation measures as dry conditions are expected to worsen in the coming months. | GPB
