By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Felipe V. Celino
The El Niño phenomenon and the dry season have ravaged 23 towns in Western Visayas, leading local government units to declare a state of calamity.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported last week that Western Visayas is the second hardest-hit region following Mimaropa with losses reaching P1.7 billion.
Meanwhile, agricultural loss in Western Visayas ballooned to P800 million, according to the DA.
Eighteen towns in Antique are now under a state of calamity following the provincial government’s declaration on April 18.
The province-wide declaration comes after the local declarations of Sibalom on March 13, Anini-y on March 27, Laua-an on April 12, San Remegio on April 16, and Tobias Fornier on April 17.
Based on the latest report of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), Antique reported a production loss of P130 million from 299 hectares of totally damaged croplands and 2,534 hectares that are partially damaged.
In Negros Occidental, Kabankalan City and the town of San Enrique have also declared a state of calamity. The RDRRMC report indicated a total of P780 million in damages to the agriculture sector of Negros Occidental.
Two towns in Guimaras, San Lorenzo on April 17 and Buenavista on April 26, have been placed under a state of calamity.
In the province of Iloilo, the hardest-hit among the provinces in the region, two towns have declared a state of calamity in response to the drought conditions.
Sara was the first to declare on April 12, followed by Estancia on April 15.
RDRRMC data showed a P519 million loss to the agricultural industry of Iloilo.
The latest to be placed under a state of calamity is Iloilo City with the declaration made on Monday, April 22.
Iloilo City is facing “water scarcity,” necessitating it to use P12.5 million from its quick response fund to procure water to assist 46,460 affected individuals for three months.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier warned of drought conditions persisting over the region until May.
PAGASA said Western Visayas area will experience drought from April to May, except for Aklan, which will face a dry spell in April.
HEATWAVE KNOCKS DOWN STUDENTS
In Capiz, 16 students at a Panitan school suffered from heat exhaustion and hyperventilation due to the extreme heat that struck the province on Monday, April 22.
John Vincent Delfin, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer at Leodegario Deocampo Sr. National High School (LDSNHS) in Barangay Capagao, reported that during a 10 a.m. holy mass, 16 students became unconscious, which made it difficult for them to breathe.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMO) promptly provided first aid.
Delfin said the school requested further assistance from the town’s Rural Health Unit (RHU) for proper treatment.
Fifteen of the students stabilized within minutes, while the RHU monitored one student’s health.
Delfin urged parents to ensure their children carry water and eat breakfast before school.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the heat index in Capiz has not dropped below 40 degrees Celsius since last month, leading to the suspension of classes by the local government.
The Department of Education has since mandated half-day class schedules.
Last month, a Roxas City senior died from a suspected heat stroke-induced heart attack while riding his motorcycle.
