The Philippine, Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday, March 20 said 37 areas in the country are currently experiencing drought.

These areas are Abra, Apayao, Aurora, Bataan, Benguet, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Laguna, Metro Manila, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Pangasinan, Quirino, Rizal, Zambales, Antique, Biliran, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Samar, and Lanao del Norte.
Drought is defined as having three consecutive months of “way below-normal” rainfall or more than 60 percent reduction from the average rainfall.
PAGASA said the El Niño phenomenon continues to weaken, however its adverse effects may persist until May.