DINAGAT ISLANDS DECLARES PROVINCE-WIDE STATE OF CALAMITY AMID SEVERE WATER CRISIS

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council) has officially declared a province-wide State of Calamity across the Dinagat Islands. This decision follows a formal recommendation from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to address a worsening water crisis triggered by the ongoing El Niño phenomenon.

According to Governor Nilo Demerey Jr., the severe dry spell has caused approximately 50% of the rivers supplying the local water district to dry up entirely. The crisis has directly impacted or placed at immediate risk over 18,000 residents, crossing the 15% population threshold required for a calamity declaration.

The severe water shortage is causing widespread disruption across multiple sectors:

Public Services: The provincial government, alongside the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), has initiated emergency water rationing for critical institutions, including schools and hospitals.

Agriculture: Local farming has taken a heavy hit, forcing rice farmers to spend extra on fuel to pump dwindling water from creeks for irrigation.

Environment: The intense heat and dry conditions have sparked multiple forest fires across the island province.

The State of Calamity declaration unlocks vital provincial funds, giving local government units immediate access to logistical, financial, and technical resources needed for emergency water hauling, relief distribution, and long-term agricultural recovery. State weather bureau PAGASA warns that these dry conditions could persist into the first half of 2027. Provincial authorities urge all residents to remain calm, conserve water, and cooperate with local distribution schedules.

Courtesy: Nilo P. Demerey Jr.