Over 4.5 million people affected by El Niño -DSWD

The El Niño phenomenon affected over 4.5 million individuals, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

The DSWD Disaster Response Management’s data as of May 18 found that the number of people affected was equivalent to 1,181,568 families in 6,017 barangays in 14 regions. 

These regions were: Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Cordillera Administrative Region, and BARMM. 

Further, the DSWD said the affected individuals had been provided with P372.4 million in humanitarian assistance.

The department had P3.2 billion in available relief resources, of which P607.9 million was allocated for standby funds and P2.6 billion was in food and non-food items. 

PAGASA declared the start of the dry season on March 22, which coincided with the El Niño phenomenon.

The highest recorded heat index for this year was 53°C in Iba, Zambales last April 28.

But state meteorologists said that rain would be more frequent in the coming days as the country moved into the wet season. 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, as of May 13, 280 localities had declared a state of calamity due to the heat. — DVM, GMA Integrated News