Tacloban city: At least 30,013 hectares of rice farms in Eastern Visayas have been identified as highly vulnerable to El Ni±o, prompting the Department of Agriculture (DA) to map out measures to mitigate its impact. DA Eastern Visayas Regional Executive Director Rodel Macapa±as highlighted that these areas are more than double the 14,185 hectares identified as vulnerable to flooding in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, the towns of Tabango, Villaba, Sta. Fe, Alangalang, Palo, San Miguel, and Ormoc City in Leyte province, as well as Naval, Caibiran, Biliran, and Almeria in Biliran province, have been marked as highly susceptible to drought. In Samar Island, the affected areas include Paranas, Pinabacdao, Villareal, Sta. Rita, San Jorge, Gandara, and Sta. Margarita in Samar province; Quinapondan, Oras, Dolores, Sulat, Arteche, Taft, San Policarpo, and San Julian in Eastern Samar; and Lavezares, Catubig, Pambujan, and Las Navas in Northern Samar.

"In Eastern Samar, we have been closely monitoring the situation in Dolores since the town is a major rice-producing area, with 4,000 hectares planted," Macapa±as stated. The DA has also pinpointed less vulnerable or unaffected areas to promote higher yields, aiming to achieve the region's target rice production of 800,000 metric tons this year. "With the expected prolonged dry season, especially during the last quarter of this year until the first quarter of 2027, we will maximize production in less vulnerable areas," he added.

The DA regional field office has sought a PHP117 million budget for initiatives to tackle the phenomenon, including acquiring water pumps to support rice production in rain-fed areas. "Our regular programs have been refocused on El Ni±o mitigation efforts to help our affected farmers," Macapa±as noted. The office is implementing a coordinated, data-informed preparedness plan to help the agriculture sector manage potential dry conditions associated with El Ni±o.

Moreover, the DA has started prepositioning agricultural support inputs, such as drought-tolerant seed varieties, fertilizers, and irrigation assistance, to ensure their availability when needed. Existing support mechanisms, including crop insurance, access to credit, and market facilitation, are also being strengthened to help stabilize farmers' incomes, he said.