El Niño scorches 14 regions, P6.87B farm losses; Cordillera, Cagayan Valley hit

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Cordillera and Cagayan Valley are among the 14 regions affected by the continuing El Niño, which has so far caused an estimated P6.87 billion in agricultural damage and losses nationwide.

The Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center reported in its first El Niño weather bulletin issued September 26 that an estimated 223,214 farmers across 14 of the country’s 18 regions have been affected. The reported figures remain subject to validation.

Aside from Cordillera and Cagayan Valley, the affected regions are Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Soccsksargen and Caraga.

Corn bears biggest losses

Corn accounted for the largest share of the reported losses at 71.38 percent, with 170,605 hectares affected and estimated damage of P4.9 billion.

Rice losses reached P1.53 billion, or 22.29 percent of the total. The DA has projected that rice production could decline by about 700,000 metric tons this year due to the effects of El Niño.

High-value crops, cassava, livestock and poultry also recorded losses.

In the Cordillera, corn and rice areas in Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province and Apayao were among those affected, according to the DA bulletin cited in the report.

Very strong El Niño expected

The current El Niño began affecting the Philippines in June and is expected to intensify into a “Very Strong” El Niño between September and December 2026, with PAGASA forecasting that it may persist through the first half of 2027. PAGASA warned that prolonged rainfall deficits could trigger dry spells and drought, putting agricultural production and water supplies under pressure.

To mitigate the effects, DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the agency would adopt more science-based and location-specific interventions depending on the conditions in affected areas.

“Sa bawat lugar, kailangan kasi thematic, location-based specific interventions ‘yung ibibigay natin... Ngayon, mas scientific ‘yung approach natin dito sa El Niño dahil na this will be a very, very strong El Niño,” de Mesa said during a press briefing.

The DA said it has rolled out P10.96 billion worth of assistance, including fertilizers, seeds and soil conditioners.

Its attached agency, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), has also allocated P427.07 million for 42,383 affected farmers.

The DA also reported the installation of 338 water pumps in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula to improve water availability.

The agency is likewise coordinating with concerned agencies for cloud-seeding operations in agricultural and watershed areas in Cagayan Valley, including the Magat Dam.

PAGASA has urged government agencies, local governments and climate-sensitive sectors to implement conservation and mitigation measures early as the El Niño intensifies.