The drought has caused a heavy loss in the agricultural sector. The DA reported that a total of 134,321 metric tons of crops have been damaged as of March 7, 2016, by the dry spell. This affects an estimated 12 million people, making up 33 percent of the country’s labor force, with almost 70 percent of the rural community working as farmers and fishermen. With that, this year’s World Water Day (March 22), whose theme was “Water and Jobs,” offered an opportune time to call attention to the plight of farmers and fisherfolk who are at risk and severely affected by the long droughts and destructive typhoons.

Borgueta, S. J. (2016, March 31). Addressing climate change thru our young. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A14.