Based on the latest DROMIC report submitted on 31 May 2024, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 (DSWD FO 1) has provided a total of PhP1,126,378.25 worth of humanitarian augmentation to the El Niño affected families.

A total of 1,550 Food and Non-Food Items have been distributed to affected families in the Provinces of Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte.

These affected families are mostly rice and high-value crop farmers whose livelihoods have been severely affected by the intense heat and water shortage brought by El Niño.

According to the consolidated reports submitted by the affected Local Government Units (LGUs) to the Field Office, 17,104 families equivalent to 75,166 persons from 446 barangays in Region 1 have been affected by the drought caused by El Niño.

Municipalities of Solsona and Dingras in Ilocos Norte and San Fabian Pangasinan are the top three affected municipalities having the highest number of affected families reported based on the submitted DROMIC reports from the Local Government Units.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture’s 16 May 2024 report reflects that a total of 3,797.75 hectares of land with rice and high-value crops have been affected by drought, resulting in a total production loss and damage costs of PhP249 million.

Amidst the country’s transition from El Niño to La Niña, the Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) remains steadfast in its commitment to coordinate and monitor the situation of the LGUs for immediate assistance, if needed.

In preparation for the potential impacts of La Niña, DSWD Uno fortified its readiness by stockpiling more than PhP89 million worth of standby funds and stockpile in 19 regional and satellite warehouses across the Region. By: Nicole Kasandra A. Lipawen, Information Officer II – Disaster Response Management Division