Agricultural damage due to El Niño now at P6.54 billion, says NDRRMC
MANILA — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Wednesday that the ongoing El Nino has already caused significant agricultural damage in 10 regions.
The NDRRMC estimated agricultural damage reaching P6.539 billion, with 109 cities and municipalities across the country now under the state of calamity.
Sustaining the most serious damage is Cagayan Valley (Region 2) with almost P4.96 billion, followed by Cordillera (CAR), P934.9 million; Davao Region (Region 11), P410.1 million; Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), P95.8 million; and Bicol Region (Region 5), P37.48 million.
Central Visayas (Region 7) sustained damages worth P22.77 million, followed by CALABARZON (Region 4-A), P19.7 million; Western Visayas (Region 6), P14.58 million; Soccsksargen (Region 12), P12.57 million, and Central Luzon (Region 3), P1.88 million.
Out of the 109 municipalities that declared a state of calamity, the Cagayan Valley topped the country with 66 municipalities, followed by CARAGA with 23, and Bicol Region with 12.
Total damaged crop area is estimated at approximately 241,664. 95 hectares, with 51,594.93 hectares classified as “totally damaged” and 188,507.02 hectares “partially damaged.”
Meanwhile, the total number of affected farmers and fisherfolk went up to 215,386.
According to DOST-PAGASA, El Niño has been present in the tropical Pacific since June.
El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which may result in adverse impacts such as dry spells and droughts in some areas of the country. However, over the western part of the country, above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest monsoon season may also occur.
On 23 September 2026, DOST-PAGASA announced that it forecasted “Very Strong” El Nino based on models and evaluations.
The phenomenon is expected to intensify into a Very Strong El Niño between the September–December 2026 season and persist through the first half of 2027.