MANILA, Philippines - More than half of the total land area of Sta. Barbara town, Iloilo province has been affected by the ongoing dry spell, prompting its local officials to place the town under a state of calamity.

Waling-Waling Terania, municipal agriculture officer, said at least 1,500 hectares of farm land or at least 69% of the total land area of the town has been affected by El Niño.

Terania said the drought's damage on crops in the town has been pegged at P47 million.

The agriculture officer said they have deployed personnel in the field to closely monitor the rice fields and other crops that were damaged.

Local officials said the state of calamity declaration would allow them local government to release funds that would be provided to help the farmers.

The local government said it has already allotted P750,000 for the purchase of certified seeds that would be distributed to the farmers. -- Report from Regi Adosto, ABS-CBN Iloilo