The entire province of Basilan has been placed under a state of calamity due to the effects of El Niño.

According to the Provincial Agriculturist Office, the damage to agriculture has, so far, reached P315 million.

Most of the crops grown by farmers have died due to shortage of water supply.

The local government has already purchased water tanks to supply water to farmers affected. It is also mapping out long-term solutions to the problem.

“Though maraming vegetable seed pero parang hindi pa natin ina-aadvise na magtanim since kulang din ‘yung tubig. Yung program ni Gov. nag-iidentify sa lahat ng munisipyo para magkaroon ng sariling reservoir. Para at least kahit papano mabawasan, hindi katulad ngayon na taghirap talaga sa tubig,” Provincial Agriculture Office Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Surhayda Aguisanda, said.