Ten thousand liters in a tank, measured out for every local government unit and additional tanks

Ten thousand liters in a tank, measured out for every local government unit and additional tanks for hospitals in the province, stands as the baseline defensive measure against an 81 percent chance of a very strong El Niño.

Iloilo province is preparing a P48.75 million budget to combat the impacts of a looming Super El Niño, targeting water security and agricultural stability from October to May. The funding, sourced from the provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, will support a comprehensive action plan encompassing preparedness, mitigation, recovery and response for local communities and farmers.

Province Allocates Minimum P48.75 Million for Disaster Risk Reduction

Lawyer Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr., head of the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources, confirmed that the P48.75 million allocation is a minimum figure. As additional provincial offices finalize their work plans, this total could increase. The budget adheres to Republic Act No. 10121, which mandates that local governments set aside at least 5% of their estimated regular revenue for disaster risk reduction.

The province plans to utilize these funds to procure 10,000-liter water tanks for every local government unit and additional units for hospitals. The response strategy, scheduled between December and May, includes bulk water procurement, water rationing, and the distribution of treatment chemicals and testing kits to ensure public safety.

P232 Million in Agricultural Damage Across Eight Municipalities

As of Oct. 12, the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that drought conditions had already impacted rice, corn, and high-value commercial crops across eight municipalities: Lambunao, San Enrique, Dueñas, Banate, Janiuay, Bingawan, Lemery, and Concepcion. These agricultural losses were estimated at P232.54 million, affecting 9,472 farmers and 6,752.15 hectares.

The situation mirrors broader regional struggles in Central Visayas. Officials from the Department of Agriculture 7, the National Irrigation Administration 7, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 7 reported on October 20, 2026, that agricultural and livestock damage in that region had already surpassed P222 million. The Department of Agriculture 7 is currently preparing two rounds of cloud-seeding operations totaling 62 hours to address the rainfall deficit.

The 2035 Water Security Framework and Dam Storage

Beyond immediate drought response, Iloilo is developing the Iloilo Province Water Security Plan, a framework aimed at achieving a resilient and water-secure province by 2035. The initiative focuses on mapping and inventorying existing water sources, monitoring supply levels, and assessing infrastructure.

The National Irrigation Administration 7 has warned that below-normal rainfall has significantly reduced water storage in regional dams. As a result, the agency is using geographic information system software to monitor drought-prone areas and is coordinating with local irrigators’ associations to implement rotational water distribution.

Four Phase Plan Addresses Falling Water Levels

The plan is divided into four phases: preparedness, mitigation, recovery and response. These stages run from October to May and include activities ranging from information campaigns and data laboratory setup to the installation of solar-powered pumps and rainwater-harvesting cisterns.

Regional dams in Central Visayas have experienced drops in water levels due to below-normal rainfall, limiting the capacity for irrigation. The Metropolitan Cebu Water District has cautioned that water rationing may become necessary if the dry spell intensifies.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has stated there is an 81 percent chance of a very strong El Niño developing between October 2026 and January 2027. Forecasts suggest rainfall in Cebu may drop as low as 35.6 percent of normal levels by February 2027.

The extent to which the finalized work plans from other provincial offices will increase the total budget remains unknown, as does the long-term effectiveness of the proposed 2035 water security framework against recurring climate-related challenges.