The city government has allocated P3.35 million to support farmers and mitigate the impact of El Niño.
Teodosia Jaraba, acting head of the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAG), said they extended P2.35 million in assistance to farmers affected by the dry spell and P1 million to mitigate the impact of the projected ‘super’ El Niño expected to hit late in 2026 until early 2027.
She said that 16 out of the city’s 44 barangays were affected by heat and water shortages between July and mid-September 2026, affecting crops such as corn, rice, banana, and vegetables, as well as livestock.
The office has also prepared farm tools, knapsack sprayers, mulching materials, compost and other organic fertilizers to help farmers sustain crop production, Jaraba said.
She noted the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office allocated P1 million for El Niño mitigation measures.
The CAG continues to monitor and assess areas, with the dry spell expected to persist into the first quarter of 2027, she said.
The office is also coordinating with national government agencies, other city offices, barangays, farmers’ organizations and development partners to validate and document reports of agricultural damage and ensure that assistance reaches affected farmers.