Southern part of the Philippines hit by El Niño

Several towns in the southern part of the Philippines are badly affected by severe drought due to extreme effects of the El Niño.

With a month of no rainfall, rivers that supply water to the farmlands have dried up.Rice, corn, and onion farmlands have been damaged.Farmers are now asking the government for rice and food as well as solar-powered water irrigation systems and deep well pumps to salvage their remaining crops.

The national government has assured farmers of their support through financial assistance and crop insurance. The Social Welfare Department is providing food packs while the Labor Department is offering a temporary cash-for-work program.