THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) XI – Disaster Risk Reduction Management Unit (DRRM) has validated an estimated P117 million worth of crops in Davao del Sur and Davao City due to moisture stress as of Jan 2026.
According to DA XI regional DRRM focal Joedel Leliza, around P76-M is rice, P26-M for corn, and about P14-M for high-value crops. The bulk of the damage is in Davao del Sur, specifically in Matanao and Bansalan.
In anticipation of El Niño, Leliza said the agency has laid out strategies to mitigate its impacts that involve the help of LGUs in monitoring field conditions, particularly the water supply of irrigation systems.
Climate advisories based on the DOST-PAGASA forecasts are also part of the strategies to collect weather data for the farmers.
The other strategy involves the maximization of less vulnerable areas to cope with the production requirements of the Philippines.
“We need to boost the production of our areas that are less vulnerable. So we provided them with feeds, fertilizers, and other production inputs,” Leliza said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw on May 11.
PAGASA Complex Station weather specialist II of Davao Engr. Alan Ray Ribo said the approaching El Niño has a probability of approximately 62 percent, and the probability will possibly rise to 79 percent.
He added that the temperature and heat index will also rise to nearly 41 degrees Celsius. In the previous months, the Philippines has experienced below-normal rainfall and is expected to have low chances of above-normal rainfall in the coming months.
