BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The agricultural lifeline of parts of the Cordillera has taken another major hit as the combined effects of recent tropical cyclones and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or Habagat, damaged irrigation facilities in the region, with the National Irrigation Administration-Cordillera (NIA-CAR) estimating repair costs at ₱12.3 million.
NIA-CAR Regional Manager Engr. Ronilio Cervantes said the agency has so far recorded damage affecting 253 hectares of agricultural land and 668 farmers, with most of the affected projects involving communal irrigation systems in Abra, Benguet and Mountain Province.
The damage comes as the Philippines continues to deal with the wider agricultural impact of Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay and Habagat.
NIA-CAR seeks funds for repairs
Cervantes said NIA-CAR currently has no Quick Response Fund for the reported damage. Because of this, the agency is submitting its estimated repair requirements to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and NIA Central Office in an effort to secure funding.
Some irrigation systems may be restored relatively quickly, particularly those suffering from minor canal damage, landslides or damaged pipes. Cervantes said irrigators’ associations may also use available operation subsidies for certain repairs.
But systems with more serious damage could have a much bigger consequence: farmers relying on those facilities may be unable to plant during the current cropping period.
That makes the ₱12.3-million repair estimate more than just an infrastructure bill. For affected farming communities, the condition of these canals and irrigation facilities could determine whether some fields receive enough water to support the next crop.
Cordillera damage forms part of a much larger agricultural crisis
The irrigation damage reported by NIA-CAR is only one component of the losses caused by the recent weather disturbances.
The Department of Agriculture’s latest nationwide assessment placed agricultural damage and losses from Habagat, Luis and Maymay at approximately ₱1.03 billion, affecting 25,662 hectares of agricultural areas. Rice accounted for the largest portion of the reported losses at ₱589.44 million, while high-value crops accounted for ₱313.07 million.
The DA also reported ₱47.86 million in damage to irrigation facilities nationwide, along with ₱15.21 million in damage to farm structures. These figures are separate from NIA-CAR’s regional ₱12.3-million repair estimate and should not be treated as the same damage tally.
Earlier in the week, the DA’s assessment had placed agricultural damage and losses at ₱689.66 million, showing how rapidly the estimated impact increased as regional offices continued their assessments.
Millions affected as rains continue
The agricultural damage is unfolding amid a broader disaster situation.
The Office of Civil Defense reported on August 17 that more than 5 million people, or 1.45 million families, had been affected by the combined effects of Luis, Maymay and Habagat. The affected areas included the Cordillera Administrative Region and several other parts of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
The situation has been particularly serious in the Cordillera, where heavy rains have also triggered landslides and other hazards. Philstar reported that Benguet accounted for the largest number of fatalities in the OCD’s August 16 assessment, underscoring the severity of the weather disturbances in the region.
There is one unexpected upside
Despite the destruction, NIA-CAR said the sustained rainfall has also increased river water levels and helped replenish water sources.
This has provided some relief to areas that had been dealing with the effects of El Niño, particularly Apayao, Kalinga and Ifugao.
The challenge now is to convert that increased water availability into reliable irrigation without allowing damaged infrastructure to become the next major bottleneck.
NIA-CAR had earlier said it was implementing 219 irrigation projects in 2026, including new systems as well as restoration, repair and rehabilitation projects. The agency reported that 89 projects had already been completed by June 30, benefiting about 5,800 farmers and generating an additional 515 hectares of irrigated area.
For the 668 farmers already affected by the latest damage, however, the immediate question is much simpler: How quickly can the damaged irrigation systems be restored before the next planting opportunity is lost?
That answer will depend largely on how quickly funding is released and how much of the damaged infrastructure can still be repaired in time for the current cropping season.
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