Human Rights Online Philippines

Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines—Organizations and government units across Mindanao reported sustained losses this April as El Niño continues. The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) called on the national and local governments to come up with concrete solutions to address the devastating effects of El Niño across Mindanao.

“Changes in weather patterns lead to prolonged droughts, decreased agricultural productivity, water shortages, and even increased risk of wildfires. These conditions threaten food security, disrupt livelihoods, and strain local economies,” said Rara Ada, Mindanao Area Coordinator of PMCJ.

Earlier this year, Eastern Mindanao was struck by flood and landslides, while the western region suffered from drought. Groups have expressed great concern over the recovery of the affected communities amid the ongoing dry spell.

“El Niño can worsen existing socio-economic disparities, particularly in rural areas reliant on agriculture,” Ada explained. “Effective mitigation strategies and adaptive measures are crucial to minimizing the adverse effects of El Niño on Mindanao’s communities and fostering resilience in the face of climate variability.”

Northern Mindanao

In March, the local government of Cagayan de Oro City formed a task force to address the effects of El Niño. Executive Order 127-2024 issued by Mayor Rolando Uy enlists their City Hall departments to establish measures to preempt damage brought on by a prolonged dry spell.

“Students like me have to contend with the heat as we commute to and from work,” said Lenin Amidala Corrales, president of the Youth for Climate Justice-CDO. “In some schools, despite having air conditioning, students crossing from one building to another still have to endure the extreme heat. So much more for the rest of the schools in Cagayan de Oro City which have no air conditioning.”

“It’s a struggle for us to go to school,” Corrales added. Classes in public schools in the city have been suspended in the first month of April.

The province of Bukidnon faces a high risk as well. According to the Department of Agriculture in Region X, at least 15,000 hectares in the region currently devoted to the production of palay, corn, and vegetables are vulnerable to drought.

Zamboanga Peninsula 

The prolonged dry spell has affected 2,602 farmers, tilling 2,177 hectares of land in both Zamboanga region and Western Visayas.

Zamboanga City is currently under a state of calamity due to low water levels at Pasonanca Dam. The water level of the dam has dropped to 74 meters, or .20 meters lower compared to the normal level of 74.20.

Pasonanca Dam is the water supply of the city’s east and central districts, which now experience water rationing due to the dry spell. The western part of the city is also rationing its water due to low water supply from the Primewater facility since January.

51 out of 60 barangays, around 41,831 of 69,553 individuals being serviced by Zamboanga City Water District, have been affected by the dry spell.

Davao Region

The Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) 2024 Meet opened on April 1 at the University of the Philippines-Mindanao (UP-Min) Sports Complex in Bago Oshiro, Davao City.

Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte reminded DAVRAA participants to take care of their health as they will be playing amid the high heat index brought about by El Niño and the onset of summer.

“We have seen the effects of El Niño greatly affect the people of Mindanao, their livelihood, crops, animals, and their homes. We need an urgent response from the national government to provide support to the local government units who may already be overwhelmed by the effects of the El Niño in their localities,” Ada concluded.

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