MIN READ
By ARTEMIO DUMLAO
www.nordis.net
BAGUIO CITY — The provincial government of Isabela has declared a state of calamity due to a prolonged dry spell that has damaged crops and threatened farmers’ livelihoods.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the declaration during its March 10 Special Session at the Provincial Capitol in Ilagan City after reports of widespread agricultural losses caused by persistent lack of rainfall.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council supported the move following its assessment, which confirmed the dry spell’s impact on agriculture and local livelihoods.
The resolution, sponsored by Board Member Evyn Jay C. Diaz, cited data from the Provincial Agriculture Office showing almost 50,000 hectares of standing corn crops have been severely affected. The crops are in critical vegetative and reproductive stages.
Provincial agriculturists warned that corn farmers could lose up to 80 percent of their harvest, with estimated damages reaching at least ₱2.3 billion this cropping season. Losses may increase without immediate intervention.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that the province accounts for 28 percent of average rice production and 40 percent of harvested corn in Northern Luzon from 2021 to 2025.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration defines a dry spell as three consecutive months of below-normal rainfall or two months of way-below-normal rainfall, conditions now affecting the province.#nordis.net
