THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported in its second El Niño Advisory that the El Niño phenomenon is expected to last until the second quarter of this year.

The agency reported the outlook for 72 provinces in the country are quite dry. Ten provinces are forecast to experience drought; 41 will be under a dry spell; and 21 will have a dry condition. No province in Davao Region is among the 72.

It is also forecast that for March, the whole of Luzon, Visayas, and northern Mindanao will have below normal to way below normal rainfall. The heat in various parts of the country may range between 34.5 degrees Celsius (C) to as high as 38 C.

The good news is when it comes to rainfall, Surigao del Sur, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen will experience normal to above normal rainfall conditions.

However, we here in Davao Region should not celebrate that El Niño is not here. One way or another, we are still affected.

Clearly, the agriculture sector will be affected by the El Niño phenomenon. For example, Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao, Inc. (Cidami) president Val Turtur earlier said they are expecting a drop in the production of cacao in the country with El Niño.

We can also expect an increase in the prices of some agricultural commodities due to a low supply.

City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO) head Leo Brian Leuterio said in an earlier interview that other major food producing areas in Mindanao, like Bukidnon and Kapatagan, are affected by El Niño.

Leuterio said if these producing areas will be affected, prices of supplies that the city is getting in these areas will surely go up.

The government must act fast on implementing measures that will protect our food sources and farmers during the time of El Niño.

With Luzon and Visayas experiencing El Niño, they will be getting their supplies from Mindanao.

El Niño may not be in Davao Region but its effects will definitely be felt here.