The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) in Northern Samar has endorsed the declaration of a state of calamity in the province as authorities brace for the worsening effects of El Niño on agriculture, fisheries, livestock, water supply, and public health.
The endorsement came after the PDRRMC convened by Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan for a pre-disaster risk assessment on Thursday to assess the province’s preparedness and the initial impact of the dry spell.
The Provincial Agriculture Office reported about PHP50 million in initial damage and losses to agricultural production, particularly rice, with 1,872 farmers and fisherfolk already affected.
The number is expected to rise as El Niño is forecast to intensify from December 2026 through May 2027.
Provincial agriculturist and veterinary officer Jose Luis Acompañado said water availability is a major concern for both crop and livestock production, particularly for carabaos that rely heavily on water to cope with prolonged high temperatures.
“Livestock, such as carabaos, are affected because they love water. When they don’t have a place to swim, they are more sensitive to heat,” Acompañado said during the assessment held at the Anahaw Hall of the Provincial Capitol.
He also warned that livestock could face increased parasite loads under prolonged heat conditions.
For the agriculture sector, authorities identified water for livestock, crop production, and irrigation as critical requirements, along with rice seeds for areas at risk, corn seeds for replanting, and short-duration vegetable seeds.
Water-saving measures, irrigation and water-supply assessments, field validation of reported losses, crop-stage advisories, and pest and disease monitoring were also identified as priority interventions.
The fisheries sector will likewise undergo assessment as prolonged dry conditions threaten water availability and the livelihoods of fisherfolk.
The province’s water supply has also been affected, with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) reporting declining water levels in some service areas due to below-average rainfall.
In Catarman, where authorities are pursuing a long-term plan to augment the water supply by tapping the National Irrigation Administration’s Macagtas Dam, LWUA recommended water rationing in areas experiencing shortages of potable water.
Health officials, meanwhile, reported increased cases of diarrhea, dengue, and heat-related illnesses, while the agriculture sector recorded livestock deaths and heat stress among poultry and other animals.
The Provincial Health Office said it has a buffer stock of medicines for illnesses commonly associated with the dry season but urged residents, particularly senior citizens and people with existing health conditions, to take precautions against extreme heat.
As chair of the PDRRMC, Ongchuan called for stronger water and energy conservation measures and closer coordination among government agencies to address the anticipated impacts of El Niño.
On the recommendation of the PDRRMC, Ongchuan approved the council’s endorsement to declare Northern Samar under a state of calamity to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board).
The motion was made by Board Member Lope Dorado and PDRRM Officer Rei Josiah Echano. The proposed declaration is intended to enable the provincial government to expedite disaster response, relief, and recovery measures. (PNA)
