NATION

Iloilo City augments support amid El Niño

Fraye Cedrick Anona··2 MIN READ

OFFICIALS from the Iloilo City Agriculturist’s Office coordinate the expedited distribution of rice seeds and agricultural inputs to local farmers in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Region VI.

OFFICIALS from the Iloilo City Agriculturist’s Office coordinate the expedited distribution of rice seeds and agricultural inputs to local farmers in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Region VI.

Photograph courtesy of Iloilo City Government/facebook

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ILOILO CITY — The local government of Iloilo City has intensified agricultural interventions to safeguard local crop yields and cushion farmers against the projected impact of a strong El Niño dry spell, local officials announced.

The City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO) initiated early mitigation measures, including the distribution of high-yield rice seeds, water-storage drums, and shade nets to vulnerable farming communities across the city.

Iñigo Garingalao of the CAO said preparatory efforts began in 2025 following meteorological forecasts of a strong-to-very-strong El Niño phenomenon, upon the directive of Mayor Raisa Treñas.

In coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region VI, the city government prioritized early seed distribution to allow rice farmers to complete their planting cycle ahead of peak dry conditions.

Harvest for the second cropping season is targeted for late January or early February 2027.

To enhance farm water resilience, the city distributed 500 storage drums to local farmers’ associations and vegetable growers for rainwater harvesting.

Additionally, shade nets were provided to protect heat-sensitive leafy crops — such as lettuce, pechay, bok choy and mustard greens — from extreme sun exposure.

Field officers are monitoring local water reservoirs and encouraging farmers to rotate to drought-tolerant crops, including sweet potatoes, corn and peanuts.

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The municipal office is also awaiting a supplementary relief package from DA Region VI comprising 580 bags of organic fertilizer and additional planting materials.

Garingalao cited that agricultural conditions across Iloilo City remain manageable, with no severe crop damage reported to date, but affirmed that monitoring will continue to prevent production losses.