A technical working group in the province of Bohol is considering declaring a state of calamity because of a drought linked to El Niño, while recorded damage to agriculture has risen to more than P291.9 million pesos, according to initial government reports.
Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog said the group has discussed the possible declaration and will consult affected sectors, including farmers, irrigators’ associations and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Assessments of the drought’s effects in various towns continue.
The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System recorded P291,963,049.40 pesos in total crop damage as of Oct. 15, up from P189.47 million pesos in an initial report as of Oct. 5, 2026.
The number of affected farmers rose to 10,812 from 7,035, and 29 of the province’s 48 local government units have now reported, up from 27.
Rice accounts for most of the losses at P281.09 million pesos over 3,920.77 hectares.
Most of that, P180 million pesos, was rice at the reproductive stage, followed by P71.7 million pesos in the vegetative stage, P15.9 million pesos for newly planted rice, P7.8 million pesos for seedlings and P4.8 million pesos for seedbeds.
Corn damage is valued at P5.56 million pesos over 100.43 hectares, including P3.4 million pesos at the reproductive stage, P281,000 pesos at the vegetative stage and P22,500 pesos for newly planted corn.
High-value crops suffered P5.3 million pesos in damage over 34.50 hectares, including P2.7 million pesos for mature crops, P2.5 million pesos at the reproductive stage, P1.7 million pesos at the vegetative stage, P307,000 pesos at the fruiting stage and P40,000 pesos for seedlings.
In the Oct. 5 report, rice made up 95.09% of recorded crop damage, high-value crops 2.87% and corn 2.04%. No damage to cassava had been recorded at that time.
As of Oct. 5, San Miguel was the worst affected town, with agricultural damage of P53.2 million pesos. Tubigon followed with P18.7 million pesos, Batuan with P16.1 million pesos, Inabanga with P12.5 million pesos, Bilar with P10.9 million pesos and Sagbayan with P10.3 million pesos.
Catigbian recorded P8 million pesos in damage, Calape P6.9 million pesos, Bien Unido P236,000 pesos and Danao P159,000 pesos. Damage was also reported in Loboc, Valencia, Jagna and Mabini.
In the Oct. 15 update, Carmen reported the largest losses at P110.7 million pesos, about 38% of the provincial total.
San Miguel followed with P53.2 million pesos, then Sagbayan with P19.3 million pesos, Batuan with P16.1 million pesos, Inabanga with P12.5 million pesos and Bilar with P10.9 million pesos.
The figures cover both partial and total crop damage reported by the affected local governments.
The provincial agriculture and disaster response offices will continue assessing the full extent of El Niño’s effects and the possible needs of affected farmers, including the possibility of additional government intervention.