The province of Dinagat Islands has been placed under a state of calamity as it grapples with a worsening water crisis brought on by the effects of El Niño.
Around 18,000 residents have been affected by the water crisis, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. said around 50% of the rivers serving as water sources for the local water district have already dried up due to the prolonged dry conditions.
The provincial government, in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), has begun water rationing in affected areas, including schools and hospitals.
Using the province’s current population of approximately 120,533, the PDRRMC said the 15% threshold prescribed under applicable guidelines for declaring a state of calamity translates to about 18,080 affected individuals.
“Provincial assessments indicate that more than 18,000 Dinagatnons and members of the general public are already affected or are at immediate risk due to constrained water supply,” the PDRRMC said.
The council cited reduced water-source yields, interrupted water services, longer travel and collection times, and increased dependence on water hauling and rationing as among the impacts of the crisis.
The PDRRMC said the situation has gone beyond being a seasonal inconvenience, noting that access to water is essential to health, sanitation, food preparation, education, livelihoods, and the delivery of basic public services.
Multiple forest fires have also been reported across Dinagat Islands amid the intense heat being experienced in the province.
