Northern Samar Prepares for El Niño as Drought Hits Households, Farms

Posted on October 20, 2026 at 5:01 am

Catarman, Northern Samar — Thousands of households in Northern Samar are facing drought, water shortages and food insecurity, while the province’s agriculture sector has reported more than P50 million in damages since the onset of the dry season.

The provincial government is preparing measures to help affected communities cope with the effects of a very strong El Niño.

The proposed El Niño Action Plan was approved by the provincial El Niño Task Force for endorsement to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during a meeting on October 12 at Anahaw Hall of the Provincial Capitol.

Rei Josiah Echano, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and chairperson of the El Niño Technical Working Group (TWG), presented data on the province’s vulnerabilities and the planned response activities.

The meeting followed a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment conducted on October 6 to assess the risks posed by prolonged dry conditions.

Northern Samar has 24 municipalities and 569 barangays, with Catarman as its provincial capital. The provincial government plans to coordinate with local governments to address the needs of communities most affected by the dry spell.

Data presented by Echano showed that Catubig had the highest number of drought-affected households at 2,860.

Laoang followed with 2,576 households, Las Navas with 2,450, Palapag with 2,306 and Lavezares with 1,441.

Water supply is another concern. The report showed that 989 households in Victoria had been without a water supply since October 2025. These represented 20.9% of the municipality’s 4,726 households.

Las Navas reported 1,919 affected households, while Catubig had 1,549.

The presentation also included data on safely managed drinking water services. Biri recorded coverage of 84.11%, followed by Palapag at 81.46%, Catarman at 79.70%, Mondragon at 79.36% and Mapanas at 78.13%.

The figures show the need to identify communities with limited access to water and determine what assistance they may need as dry conditions continue.

Nearly 48,000 households struggle to afford healthy food

Food insecurity was another concern raised during the assessment.

Of the province’s 147,543 households, 47,681, or 32.3%, were reported to be unable to eat healthy food.

Silvino Lobos recorded the highest proportion at 64.7%, affecting 1,977 of its 3,056 households. Pambujan followed at 61.2%, Mapanas at 59.2%, Victoria at 59% and San Roque at 52.9%.

For families who depend on farming and fishing, prolonged dry conditions could add pressure to already limited household incomes, particularly if agricultural production declines.

Health data presented during the meeting showed 1,988 cases of bronchitis and pneumonia, the highest among the listed conditions. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) accounted for another 329 cases.

The presentation did not establish whether these illnesses were linked to El Niño, but health concerns were included in the province’s assessment.

The agriculture sector, meanwhile, reported more than P50 million in damages to crops, livestock and other agricultural products since the dry season began.

The losses threaten farmers’ earnings and could affect food production if dry conditions continue.

The provincial government established the Very Strong El Niño Task Force and TWG through Executive Order No. 26-06-03, Series of 2026.

Under the order, the Task Force oversees provincial programs for El Niño preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. The TWG provides technical support through data analysis, monitoring and coordination. The Provincial Agriculture Office serves as the secretariat for both bodies.

The action plan sets eight goals, including preparing communities for El Niño, securing access to clean drinking water, preventing disease outbreaks and avoidable deaths, and helping farmers and fisherfolk maintain their livelihoods.

It also covers the protection of forests, mangroves and coastal habitats; reliable electricity, fuel and communication services; the continued operation of public facilities; and an early warning system for El Niño and related hazards.

Dr. Jose Luis A. Acompañado, department head of the Provincial Agriculture Office and officer-in-charge of the Provincial Veterinary Office, presented activities planned for vulnerable sectors.

These include seminars for cooperatives and associations, abaca and ube planting, watershed rehabilitation and biodiversity monitoring.

The plan also proposes food distribution, cash-for-work programs and livelihood assistance for poor households, farmers and fisherfolk affected by drought.

Five municipalities have yet to submit plans

Under the proposed monitoring system, member agencies must submit progress reports to the Provincial Agriculture Office Secretariat by the fifth day of the following month.

The PAO will conduct monitoring visits to all 24 municipalities, while the Task Force will hold review sessions to check the progress of planned activities. A terminal report will be submitted to the governor after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declares the El Niño conditions over.

During the meeting, Acompañado asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to follow up with five municipalities that had yet to submit their own El Niño action plans: Lapinig, Mapanas, Pambujan, Rosario and San Jose.

The provincial action plan has been approved for endorsement to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The next steps include completing the approval process, coordinating with municipal governments and carrying out the proposed interventions.

For families already dealing with water shortages and rising living costs, the priority will be getting assistance to those who need it most. Farmers and fisherfolk will also need support to protect their livelihoods if the dry spell continues.

Photo Courtesy: PDRRMO Northern Samar