With the strain on production and income caused by the extreme hot weather in recent months, farmers in Iloilo are finding relief in anticipated rains that the southeast monsoon may bring.

Edgar Manimbayan, a farmer in the town of Santa Barbara, has started preparing the grains he would plant on four hectares of land in Barangay Binangkilan.

A week earlier, he was still hesitant to resume planting because of the shortage in water supply.

Rainfall in recent days convinced him to start preparing for a new planting season.

“Ulan lang naman kasi ang aming maasahan. Kung walang ulan, wala rin. Kung magpapatuloy ang ulan, mas mabuti sana,” he said.

John Baron, weather forecaster of PAGASA Iloilo said rain may continue to be experienced in the first week of June.

“May mga pag-ulan ang, most likely, possible pa iyan na mag-continue early next week. May mga pag-ulan rin sa weekends,” he said.

He said the Visayas will experience normal rainfall even with the anticipated entry of El Niño in June.

“During rainy season, may El Niño rin. Kapag lumalakas ang habagat, may frequent rains tayo, hindi lang ulan kundi rainshowers, mga thunderstorms. Itong mga pag-ulan ay makakaresulta ng pagbaha at landslides,” Baron said.

Iloilo experienced danger levels of heat until May 2026. Read related story: https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/114050/iloilo-continues-to-experience-danger-level-heat/story/