The National Irrigation Administration (NIA-6) is closely monitoring the effects of El Niño on agriculture while managing water reserves at the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in Calinog, Iloilo.

Steve Cordero, NIA-6 Watershed Management Chief and JRMP II spokesperson, said water continues to be stored in the reservoir to ensure supply for farmers should rainfall decline further.

As of the latest monitoring, the reservoir has accumulated 116.87 million cubic meters of water and can still store more than 130 million cubic meters before reaching its full capacity of 250.7 million cubic meters.

Cordero said that if El Niño intensifies but sufficient water remains available, NIA may release a portion of the water from the high dam into the river system toward Moroboro Dam. This could help farmers continue planting, including a possible second cropping season despite reduced rainfall.

If the dry conditions worsen, NIA is also considering cloud seeding in coordination with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to augment water supplies in the reservoir.

NIA, DA-BSWM and PAF conducted two cloud-seeding operations over Calinog in September.

Meanwhile, NIA continues to coordinate with farmers and encourage them to adjust their planting schedules based on available water supply.

The agency is also promoting crop diversification, particularly the planting of crops that can withstand higher temperatures and possible water shortages.

Farmers are likewise being encouraged to register with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) for additional protection against potential crop losses caused by El Niño.

Construction of the irrigation component of JRMP II remains ongoing, with the project reaching 87.64 percent completion. NIA expects the project to be completed within its target schedule.

Despite being unfinished, JRMP II is already providing irrigation to about 500 hectares of farmland in Calinog. The irrigated area could expand to between 700 and 1,000 hectares before the end of 2026.IMT