Thousands of farmers in Isabela were badly hit by the prevailing El Niño, as the weather phenomenon either dried or stunted the growth of corn in several towns in the province.

Rustico Agustin said he is unable to pay a P60,000 debt, which he used to plant more than 2 hectares of corn in Barangay Mapalad.

His corn didn't grow several months after planting because there was not even a raindrop since the end of January.

"Talagang wala na pong pagasa, kasi January 9 naitanim, wala nang ulan mula nang maitanim kaya tuyong tuyo na yung lupa," Agustin said.

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He said this is the worst drought he experienced in almost four decades as a farmer.

"Ito na po pinakamatindi, talagang wala akong aanihin. Magmula nung ako ay magtanim ng mais, ito na pinakamatindi," he said.

"Wala tayong pambayad ng utang, ang puhunan niyan utang. Nawawalan na ako ng pag-asa kasi hindi naman pwedeng sabihin sa pinagkakautangan namin na walang inani, di muna magbayad," he added.

Jaymar Dang-at, another corn farmer, said he will have to find a job in construction because he is also in debt.

"Hindi  ko na alam kung magtatanim pa ako sa susunod or hindi na kasi wala na puhunan, may utang pa, yun ang problema ko. Mahirap ang buhay Sir," he said.

In the town of San Agustin alone, almost a thousand farmers have been affected by the drought.

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More than 20 towns in Isabela have been affected by El Niño, according to their Provincial Agriculture Office.

The municipal agriculturist of San Agustin said most of the affected farmers are from hilly areas which isn't reached by irrigation.

"Ang affected ay yung late planting, yung mga nakapagtanim ng late December to January," said Engr. Gerald Carmelo, municipal agriculture officer.

However, their LGU is unable to extend help to farmers, being a third-class municipality.

"Sa LGU, we are not capable for seeds so sa Department of Agriculture yan manggagaling, seeds and fertilizers para may puhunan ulit sila," he added.

WATER LEVEL IN MAGAT DAM

Aside from dried corn fields, water level in Magat Dam is also significantly lower due to El Niño.

As of March 4, its level is at 174 meters, much lower than normal water level of 187-190 meters.

This low level was last recorded during El Niño of 2010.

The dam managers said this is still sufficient to irrigate rice fields until March 15, their cut-off date. He said fields don't need water anymore beyond this date.

"Medyo mababa sa normal, yung epekto ng El Niño nararamdaman, however, nakikita naman natin na sufficient yung ating tubig para sa ating irigasyon ng palayan," said Engr. Gileu Michael Dimoloy of the NIA-MARIIS.

He said this is still quite far from critical level of 160 meters, since the projected level before the cutoff is 172 meters.

What they are more concerned about is the wet cropping season, which commences in May.

"With this elevation, kahit tumaas pa konti, kulang na for the wet crop, yun ang pinagpaplanuhan natin," Dimoloy said.

"We need to plan, kasi hindi kaya mapatubigan yung 90,000 hectares so mag strategize tayo, anong areas uunahin natin, habang hinihintay ang pag-ulan kasi extended ang El Niño hanggang second quarter," he added.

Dimoloy said farmers in Isabela may not be able to plant simultaenously come May since rainwater is still scarce.

The province is Isabela is praying for more rain to sustain its agricultural needs. It is among the biggest rice producing provinces in the country.

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