El Niño phenomenon affecting 41 provinces

File photo by MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN / Inquirer Southern Luzon

MANILA, Philippines – The El Niño phenomenon is now affecting 41 provinces,  El Niño Task Force spokesperson and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama said on Tuesday.

According to Villarama, the number of affected provinces is down from 50, based on a re[port by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

“In the initial or the last report of Pagasa, 50 provinces were affected. Now, it’s down to 41,” Villarama said in Filipino in a Palace briefing.

Villarama, however, did not specify the provinces affected.

“We have 17 provinces experiencing dry conditions. We have 10 provinces experiencing a dry spell and then 14 provinces experiencing drought,” said Villarama, speaking partly in Filipino.

Agricultural losses due to the El Niño have reached P150 million, said Villarama.