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Lope de Vega now under state of calamity
TACLOBAN CITY— Agricultural losses exceeding P50 million, declining water supplies and growing health concerns have prompted local governments in Northern Samar to intensify preparations for the continuing El Niño phenomenon, with Lope de Vega already declaring a state of calamity after thousands of hectares and hundreds of farmers were affected by prolonged dry conditions.
The declaration in Lope de Vega, approved through Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 15-120 on October 7, came as the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) assessed the province’s vulnerabilities during a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) on October 6.
The assessment brought together provincial government offices, national government agencies, local government units and civil society organizations to determine the extent of the damage and identify measures to protect agriculture, water resources, public health and livelihoods.
Provincial data showed that 11 of Northern Samar’s 24 municipalities had reported agricultural damage, with total losses exceeding P50 million since the onset of the dry season.
Lope de Vega recorded the highest losses, estimated at P25.99 million in the provincial assessment, prompting its declaration of a state of calamity. Municipal records, meanwhile, placed the damage at about P27 million, affecting 917 farmers and 269.65 hectares of farmland.
The municipality also reported 114 cases of diarrhea, including four deaths, adding to concerns about the effects of prolonged dry conditions on public health and access to safe water.
The other municipalities that reported agricultural damage were Lavezares, Mapanas, Bobon, San Roque, Las Navas, Pambujan, Biri, Gamay, Palapag and Mondragon.
Palay accounted for the largest share of reported agricultural losses, estimated at P22.45 million, highlighting the vulnerability of rice production to declining water availability and prolonged periods without sufficient rainfall.
Officials said affected farmers need subsidies and other forms of assistance to help them recover from their losses and sustain their agricultural activities while dry conditions continue.
About 1,872 farmers have so far been affected by the dry spell.
Beyond agriculture, declining water resources have emerged as another major concern for Northern Samar as authorities prepare for the possibility of prolonged dry conditions in the coming months.
The water supply and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector reported decreasing water production and falling levels in dams, deep wells, pumps, springs and other sources across the province.
The situation could affect household consumption, sanitation, livestock and agricultural activities, particularly in communities that rely on vulnerable water sources.
The health sector, meanwhile, reported ongoing information and education campaigns to raise public awareness of illnesses and other health conditions that may arise or worsen during periods of extreme heat and prolonged dry weather.
Hospitals in the province, including the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital, were reported to be prepared for a possible increase in patients with El Niño-related health concerns.
Health officials also sought assistance from the provincial government for additional water storage containers to maintain adequate reserves for hospital operations.
The PDRRMC assessment also identified gaps in local preparedness. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that 12 of the province’s 24 municipalities had yet to submit their El Niño Action Plans during the assessment.
The plans are intended to identify local vulnerabilities, priority interventions and the resources needed to address the effects of prolonged dry conditions.
The PDRA also considered the latest climate outlook from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), which warned that El Niño conditions could persist into 2027.
According to the outlook presented during the assessment, a strong El Niño was prevailing in the tropical Pacific, with climate models indicating the possibility of intensification into a very strong event toward the latter part of 2026 and persistence through the first half of 2027.
Pagasa also reported that the southwest monsoon, or habagat, officially ended on October 5, signaling a transition to the climate conditions expected in the coming months.
JOEY A. GABIETA, ROEL T. AMAZONA
