El Niño affects over 451,000 people in PH – NDRRMC

MANILA, Philippines — El Niño has affected more than 451,000 people across the country, including over 215,000 farmers and fisherfolk, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Wednesday.

In its situational report as of Oct. 14, the NDRRMC said 121,185 families, or 451,889 individuals, are affected in Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga.

At least 215,386 farmers and fisherfolk are also affected by the phenomenon.

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The agency added that agricultural losses and damage had reached P6.5 million.

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The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration confirmed in June that El Niño conditions were present in the tropical Pacific.

It warned that the phenomenon could intensify into a “very strong” El Niño between September and December and persist through the first months of 2027.

At least 109 cities and municipalities had been placed under a state of calamity, including those in Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.

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The agency also recorded 33 class suspensions in Caraga related to the phenomenon. The region also reported 39 fire incidents and four water interruptions.

Around P46 million worth of assistance had been provided to 36,275 families, accounting for 74.62% of those assisted, the agency noted. /mcm