ILOILO City – Due to the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, Western Visayas has suffered significant agricultural losses now amounting to P1,494,162,900, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
The damage has severely impacted rice, corn, and high-value crops across the region.
Is a declaration of a region-wide state of calamity in the offing?
OCD regional director Dr. Raul Fernandez said such would depend on further validations and the declaration processes of the local disaster risk reduction and management councils (DRRMCs).
Currently, Antique is the only province that has officially declared a state of calamity. However, Iloilo is considering a similar declaration after eight towns have already done so.
Out of 133 local government units (LGUs) in the region, 104 have submitted damage reports. The breakdown includes 13 LGUs from Aklan, 18 from Antique, 10 from Capiz, five from Guimaras, 33 from Iloilo, and 25 from Negros Occidental.
Iloilo province recorded the highest losses, totalling P857,007,947. It was followed by Antique with P210,835,048; Capiz with P203,493,322; Negros Occidental with P117,485,448; Guimaras with P69,261,205; and Aklan with P36,079,930.
Several LGUs have declared a state of calamity, including the entire province of Antique; the municipalities of San Enrique and Kabankalan in Negros Occidental; Buenavista and San Lorenzo in Guimaras; and Estancia, Sara, Bingawan, Passi City, Barotac Viejo, Dingle, Balasan, Lemery in Iloilo province, as well as Iloilo City itself.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council VI (RDRRMC VI) has been on blue alert since April 22 to enhance monitoring and coordination in response to El Niño. This includes activating several response clusters like Logistics, Law and Order, Food and Non-Food, Health, and Education to manage the emergency response and humanitarian assistance efficiently.
Dr. Fernandez also highlighted the need for ongoing vigilance and cooperation among all stakeholders to mitigate the effects of El Niño and ensure the safety and well-being of the residents of Western Visayas.
The phenomenon has affected a total of 37,223 farmers in the region. Aklan reported 4,111 affected farmers; Antique 6,703; Capiz 3,879; Guimaras 1,719; Iloilo 17,690; and Negros Occidental 3,121.
In terms of aid, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed P57,280,784.9 worth of assistance across Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental. This included family food packs valued at P54,088,084.9, financial aid of P730,000, and food items totalling P2,489,700.
The following are the 104 LGUs that submitted damage reports to OCD:
* Aklan (13 LGUs) – Altavas, Banga, Madalag, New Washington, Buruanga, Lezo, Makato, Malinao, Navas, Tangalan, Balete, Kalibo, and Ibajay
* Antique (18 LGUs) – Anini-y, Barbaza, Belison, Bugasong, Caluya, Culasi, Hamtic, Laua-an, Pandan, Patnongon, San Jose, San Remigio, Sebaste, Sibalom, Tibiao, Tobias Fornier, Valderrama, and Libertad.
* Capiz (10 LGUs) – Dumaro, Panay, Pilar, Sigma, Tapaz, Dao, Dumalag, Jamindan, Maayon, and Cuartero.
* Guimaras (5 LGUs) – Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenz, and Sibunag.
* Iloilo (33 LGUs) – Igbaras, Oton, San Joaquin, Tubungan, Leon, New Lucena, Zarraga, Janiuay, Maasin, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, San Enrique, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Estancia, Sara, Calinog, Miag-ao, Mina, San Dionisio, San Rafael, Bingawan, Tigbauan, Cabatuan, Passi, Concepcion, and Iloilo City.
* Negros Occidental (25 LGUs) – Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos, Enrique B. Magalona, Murcia, Bago, La Carlota, San Enrique, Valladolid, Himamaylan, Hinigaran, Isabela, Moises Padilla, Candoni, Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Kabankalan, Sipalay, Cadiz, La Castellana, Binalbagan, Pulupandan, Silay, Victorias, and Manapla/PN
