In the early part of the dekad, Batanes and Cagayan will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to the presence of the frontal system. Meanwhile, the rest of the country will generally have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, primarily caused by the prevailing easterlies. For the remaining days of the forecast period, Mindanao, most parts of Eastern Visayas, and Palawan will be affected by the ITCZ, resulting in cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, mostly occurring in the afternoon or evening, still due to the influence of the easterlies.
Throughout the forecast period, winds coming from the southeast to south will prevail over Luzon and Visayas, while winds over Mindanao will be from the east to northeast.
Sea conditions across the entire archipelago are expected to be slight to moderate.
ENSO ALERT SYSTEM STATUS: INACTIVE (Updated: 06 May 2025)
Recent sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical Pacific indicate ENSO-neutral conditions. Most climate models favor ENSO-neutral conditions to persist towards the end of 2025.
Furthermore, as the warm and dry season persists, the public and all concerned government agencies are urged to sustain precautionary measures to minimize heat stress and prevent associated health risks. https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/climps/climateforum/outlook.pdf
FARM ADVISORIES:
During dry periods, consider planting drought-tolerant and short-maturing crop varieties that require less water. Regularly monitor soil moisture and observe plants for early signs of stress, such as wilting or yellowing leaves, to respond promptly. Practice intercropping or plant cover crops to help retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation. If possible, collect and store rainwater in ponds or tanks for use during dry spells. Ensure that crops receive adequate water during their critical growth stages—particularly flowering and grain formation—to support healthy development and improve yields.
During days of heavy rainfall, immediate precautions are necessary to minimize potential damage. Harvest mature crops early, especially those prone to spoilage. Clear drainage canals and waterways to prevent flooding and waterlogging in the fields. Store harvested produce, tools, and equipment in elevated, dry areas to avoid water damage. Relocate livestock to safe, higher ground and ensure they have access to clean water and feed. Stay updated with weather forecasts and maintain communication with your local agricultural office for timely information and assistance.
| ACTUAL SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION (May 1 - 10, 2025) |
||
| WET | MOIST | DRY |
| Baler, Infanta, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Capiz, most of Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur | Casiguran, Alabat, Tayabas, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Iloilo, Southern Leyte, and Bukidnon | Rest of the country |
* NFA buffer stock rises as rice harvest peaks
Author: DA Press Office | 25 April 2025
The National Food Authority (NFA) has significantly increased its rice buffer stock, now equivalent of 7.56 million 50-kilo bags of milled rice, as the summer harvest reaches its peak. The higher inventory aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ramp up palay procurement efforts and support as many farmers as possible.
As of April 24, the NFA’s inventory consisted of 10.1 million bags of palay (unmilled rice) and 1.2 million bags of milled rice—enough to feed the entire country for 10 days. This figure is the highest since the end of 2020.
“We still have about ₱12 billion allocated for palay procurement, and we intend to maximize purchases during the ongoing summer harvest,” said NFA Administrator Larry Lacson. “This will support the government’s initiative to provide more affordable rice to Filipino consumers.”
By law, the NFA is mandated to purchase palay exclusively from local farmers—millions of whom rely on rice farming for their livelihood and remain among the country’s poorest. So far this year, the NFA has been buying palay at prices ranging from ₱18 to ₱24 per kilo.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that the successful implementation of the newly announced ₱20-per-kilo rice program is crucial—not only to fulfill a major campaign promise of President Marcos but also to free up storage space as the NFA accelerates procurement.
“In the past, the NFA was allowed to directly sell rice to the public, helping stabilize both supply and prices while managing its stockpile more efficiently,” Secretary Tiu Laurel explained. “However, since the passage of the Rice Tariffication Law, the agency’s role has been limited to buffer stocking for calamity and emergency response. It no longer holds the regulatory functions essential to managing rice prices among others.”
This provision in the RTL has barred the NFA from expeditiously disposing of its rice stocks to better manage inventory, specially ahead of the harvest season.
Since the passage of the RTL and the NFA’s inability to compete locally with traders, the buffer stocks have steadily fallen to an alarming 41,285 metric tons, just enough to cover national consumption for one day. The trend has since reversed after the NFA Council chaired by Secretary Tiu Laurel approved a higher buying price of up to P30 per kilo of palay.
The DA chief added that beyond the pilot launch of the ₱20 rice program in the Visayas—where local government units are expected to help subsidize the cost—the Department of Agriculture is actively exploring other ways to expand access to affordable rice.
“Hopefully, we can identify a legal mechanism that allows us to move forward with the program—even without an exemption from the Commission on Elections—so we can finally deliver on this long-awaited promise of President Marcos,” he said. ### (Photo by Jay Morales, DA-OSEC)
** SUGPUIN ang kuhol bago pa man ang taniman
Patagin mabuti ang palayan bago magtanim.
Gumawa ng maliliit na kanal para mapadali ang pagpapatuyo at pamumulot ng kuhol.
Patuyuin ang pinitak para pigilan ang kanilang pagkilos at pagkain.
Kolektahin, durugin, at ipakain sa alagang pato.
Maglagay ng stick/tulos tulad ng kawayan para pag-itlogan ng mga kuhol at madaliang pagkolekta ng itlog.
Pastulan ng mga batang pato o itik ang palayan kapag ang palay ay 1–1.5 buwan pagkalipat-tanim.
Gumamit ng kemikal na pamatay kuhol bilang huling opsyon.
Source:
*https://www.da.gov.ph/nfa-buffer-stock-rises-as-rice-harvest-peaks/
**https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1109914564504901&set=a.222821126547587
Region 1 Ilocos Region
Forecast Rainfall (mm):
0 – 80
Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):
0 – 3
Actual Soil Moisture Condition:
n/a
Range of Relative Humidity (%):
45 – 96
Min - Max Temperature (°C):
22 – 36
Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:
Land and seedbed preparation continues. Most rice and corn are in the reproductive to ripening stages while some are being harvested. Growing of papaya, avocado, banana, coconut, coffee, guava, dragon fruit, guyabano, jackfruit, lettuce, mushroom, mung bean, okra, garlic, onion, patola, pechay, carrot, potato, squash, ampalaya, cassava, chayote, chili pepper, ginger, malunggay, kangkong, mustard, string bean, sweet pepper, sweet potato, taro, ubi, upo, winged bean, peanut, soybean, and tobacco continues. Harvesting of avocado, banana, watermelon, star apple, papaya, coconut, calamansi, mango, guava, jackfruit, dragon fruit, guyabano, mulberry, garlic, peanut, okra, onion, onion leeks, pechay, camote tops, radish, spinach, squash, string bean, sweet pepper, sweet potato, talinum, taro, tomato, winged bean, chili pepper, long pepper, eggplant, ginger, kangkong, lettuce, malunggay, mung bean, mustard, carrot, potato, patola, ampalaya, upo, chayote, cassava, ubi, and tobacco is also in progress. Post-harvest activities such as drying and milling of corn, drying of tobacco, copra making, nut drying, and threshing and shelling of rice and corn continues. Packing of fruits and vegetables for deliveries are actively ongoing. Cleaning and repairing of farm machinery, as well as checking and fixing irrigation pumps are being done. Fertilizer application and grazing are also taking place.
Prepared By:
Checked : RAAM
Approved : TAC
Uploaded : RVDD