233 hectares of crops wilt

CEBU, PHILIPPINES — Hundreds of Cebu City farmers are already feeling the impact of prolonged dry weather, with crops wilting across mountain barangays as the city braces for hotter days and the possible return of El Niño later this year.

A partial report released by the Office of the City Agriculturist showed that 663 of the city’s 5,801 registered farmers have been affected by the soaring temperature as of May 13.

Of the city’s 2,856.54 hectares of agricultural land, about 233.57 hectares have sustained damage, translating to an average crop loss of 13 percent.

Barangay Budlaan recorded the highest level of damage at 51.91 percent, followed by Tagbao at 45.59 percent, Tabunan at 42.69 percent and Agsungot at 42 percent.

Meanwhile, Barangays Buot, Guba and Paril reported the least damage, with losses remaining below one percent.

The dry spell has affected a wide variety of crops, particularly vegetables and fruit-bearing plants cultivated in Cebu City’s upland farming communities. Damaged banana plantations were reported in Budlaan, Bonbon, Mabini, Malubog, Paril, Pulangbato, Sudlon I and Tabunan.

Eggplant losses were recorded in Agsungot, Bonbon, Buot, Kalunasan, Pamutan, Paril and Pulangbato, while string bean farms suffered damage in Agsungot, Buot, Cambinocot, Paril and Tagbao.

Tomato crops were affected in Guba, Pamutan, Sudlon I, Taptap and Tabunan. Cucumber plantations sustained losses in Sinsin, Sudlon I and Tabunan, while ampalaya farms were damaged in Buot, Kalunasan, Sinsin and Tabunan. Sweet corn losses were reported in Cambinocot, Guba, Mabini and Tagbao.

Other affected crops included radish in Taptap; sili (pepper) in Pamutan, Pung-ol Sibugay and Taptap; squash in Kalunasan; opo (gourd) in Pulangbato; and kangkong in Tagbao.

The extreme heat has also taken a toll on ornamental plants, with aster, gerbera, orchids and wonder white cultivated in Babag, Budlaan and Pung-ol Sibugay reported to have withered under the scorching conditions.

More losses expected

City Agriculturist Joey Baclayon emphasized that the figures remain preliminary, as assessments in several barangays are still ongoing. The report currently covers 19 barangays, with data gathering, validation and consolidation continuing in the field.

“The figures and values reflected in this report are subject to change and may increase as field monitoring, data gathering, consolidation and encoding activities continue,” Baclayon said.

With extreme heat, erratic rainfall and the looming threat of El Niño converging, local agriculture officials warned that Cebu City’s farming sector faces increasing risks in the coming months.

Beyond crop losses, prolonged dry spell could also affect food supply, farm incomes and the economic stability of rural communities.

The City Agriculturist’s Office underscored the need for immediate interventions, including water distribution, crop insurance assistance and livelihood support, to help farmers cope with the worsening dry spell.

Heat index reaches danger level

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)-Visayas, Cebu continues to experience hot and humid weather typical of late May.

Daytime temperatures have ranged from 32 to 34 degrees Celsius, while heat indices have climbed to as high as 42 degrees Celsius—classified under the “danger” category, where heat exhaustion and heat stroke become likely with prolonged exposure.

Although localized thunderstorms are expected during afternoons, rainfall has remained erratic and insufficient to replenish moisture in farmlands.

PAGASA’s climate monitoring and prediction section reported that the country remains under El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral conditions for March, April and May. However, forecasters warned of a 79-percent probability that El Niño could develop between June and August and persist into early 2027.

The weather phenomenon is typically associated with below-average rainfall and drought conditions in many parts of the country.

While rainfall is expected to remain near normal in June and July, some areas may experience below-normal precipitation by October. Temperatures nationwide are also forecast to remain above average from May through October.