Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The province of Iloilo has been put under a state of calamity after 81,592 metric tons and 32,800 hectares of farmlands have been affected by El Niño phenomenon.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved the declaration during their special session on Friday (April 22).
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) will make use of the P33.7 million budget of Task Force El Niño to mitigate the effects of the drought.
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Around P95 million calamity fund will be allotted, according to Jerry Bionat, executive director of the PDRRMC. He also said towns who are severely affected by the said disaster will be prioritized.
Earlier, towns of Dueñas, Santa Barbara, Calinog, Bingawan, Estancia, Miag-ao, and Dingle were placed under a state of calamity.
Iloilo-based journalist Elyrose S. Naorbe contributed to this report.
