Isabela declares state of calamity over prolonged dry spell

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The provincial government has placed Isabela under a state of calamity, amid a prolonged dry spell that has battered farm output and threatened livelihoods.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the declaration during a special session in Ilagan City, amid reports of widespread crop damage and mounting losses among farmers due to persistent lack of rainfall.

Board member Evyn Jay Diaz, who sponsored the declaration, cited data from the provincial agriculturist’s office that showed 49,468 hectares of land planted with corn have been severely affected by drought. The corn crops are in vegetative and reproductive stages.

Provincial agriculturists warned that corn farmers could suffer harvest losses of up to 80 percent, equivalent to at least P2.3 billion.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration defines a dry spell as three consecutive months of below-normal rainfall or two months of way-below-normal rainfall – a condition being experienced across the province.