PDRRMO intensifies drought response as El Niño threatens Quezon farms

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino PDRRMO chief Dr. Melchor Avenilla Jr. discusses El Niño’s threat to Quezon agriculture as PIA Quezon’s Ce...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino

PDRRMO chief Dr. Melchor Avenilla Jr. discusses El Niño’s threat to Quezon agriculture as PIA Quezon’s Cecille Maloles listens during the Kapihan forum in Lucena City. (Pacific Mall Lucena)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Shrinking harvests and unplanted fields are threatening farmers' livelihoods as El Niño-driven water shortages place increasing pressure on agriculture across Quezon Province. Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Dr. Melchor P. Avenilla Jr. warned that the effects on farming could extend beyond the second quarter of 2027, even if the weather phenomenon has already weakened.

Avenilla issued the warning during the Kapihan sa PIA Quezon forum hosted by Cecille Maloles at Pacific Mall in Lucena City on November 5. He said the provincial government began coordinating with municipal disaster officers, agricultural personnel and health authorities in 2025, allowing interventions to proceed before water shortages intensified.

Rice, corn and vegetable growers face mounting difficulties from inadequate water supplies, while prolonged dry conditions could also reduce coconut yields across the province. The PDRRMO is coordinating water distribution and other interventions to help communities facing declining farm incomes and increasing pressure on household water supplies.

Citing the weather outlook discussed during the forum, Avenilla said El Niño's effects could intensify between January and April 2027, placing additional pressure on agricultural production. He explained that even after the phenomenon subsides, dry farmland and depleted water sources could delay agricultural recovery beyond June, although the extent of future losses remains undetermined.

Avenilla said Governor Angelina “Doktora Helen” Tan has supported provincial interventions, including the deployment of water tankers in Tagkawayan and Mauban and additional units serving central Quezon communities. He added that the provincial government had acquired more tankers and mobile water filtration equipment to strengthen water distribution, including the delivery of safe drinking water to affected households.

Responding to a question from Sentinel Times, Avenilla said agricultural assistance includes drought-adapted planting materials, farming equipment and alternative livelihood opportunities for affected farmers. He identified the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and the Provincial Livelihood Office under Lawrence Joseph Velasco among the offices involved in providing support to communities facing agricultural losses.

An earlier estimate of approximately 7,000 hectares of affected farmland was raised during the forum, but Avenilla said updated figures were still being consolidated by the OPA. He explained that reports from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Provincial Health Office and municipal governments would also be incorporated into the province's broader assessment of El Niño's impact.

Several municipalities have declared states of calamity, but provincial assistance continues without a province-wide declaration. Avenilla also disclosed that Tan was preparing an executive order establishing an El Niño Task Force to strengthen coordination among agencies responsible for water supply, agriculture and disaster response.

Beyond immediate relief, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office is pursuing environmental protection measures intended to reduce the long-term effects of water scarcity. Avenilla explained that protecting watersheds and forested areas forms part of longer-term efforts to mitigate water shortages beyond temporary emergency interventions.

He also cautioned that El Niño does not eliminate the possibility of typhoons, flooding and landslides, making reliable hazard monitoring essential. Avenilla stressed that early warning systems must deliver information residents can understand and act upon before dangerous conditions develop.

“Meron tayong mga technology, meron tayong mga equipment na binibili, weather station, flood monitoring, ito pang-measure ng heat index, may mga equipment tayo na binibigay. Pero kung ito'y hindi makakarating sa ating mga kababayan, baliwala po ito; or nakarating man ito pero hindi nila naunawaan, baliwala rin ito,” Avenilla said.

Avenilla also underscored the crucial role of journalists in disaster risk reduction, particularly in delivering verified warnings, countering misinformation and helping communities understand emergency advisories. He cautioned that inaccurate casualty reports and sensationalized descriptions of disasters could create unnecessary fear, emphasizing the importance of coordination between media organizations and local disaster management offices.

The PDRRMO chief also reminded households to replenish emergency supplies instead of relying entirely on government assistance during prolonged disruptions. He emphasized that families must maintain essential provisions because disaster relief cannot immediately meet every household requirement.

“Ang hamon na sa mga komunidad, palitan mo ito; dagdagan mo ng laman; hindi kaya na ibigay ng pamahalaan lahat ng kailanganin mo sa loob ng tatlong araw. Kailangan may binigay na go-bag, may binigay na emergency kit; kung nagamit, palitan mo ito; kung hindi nagamit, dagdagan mo ito,” Avenilla said.

With agricultural damage assessments still being consolidated, the PDRRMO and concerned provincial agencies are identifying communities facing the most severe crop losses, water shortages and livelihood disruptions. The findings will help determine where additional assistance is most urgently needed as Quezon farmers confront a prolonged recovery that Avenilla warned could extend beyond June 2027.