Department of Science and Technology
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration
Monthly Philippine Agro-climatic Review and Outlook

March 2026

Simplified Version Monthly Agroclimatic Review and Outlook
 


For the month of March, the country was affected by several weather systems, including the northeast monsoon, ridge of high pressure area, trough of tropical cyclone outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), trough of low pressure area (LPA), easterlies, and localized thunderstorms.

As shown in Figure 1, way below to below normal rainfall conditions across the country were observed except in Batanes, Capiz, Camiguin, Central Visayas and some provinces in Caraga where near to above normal rainfall conditions were experienced.

A Press Release was issued on 23 March 2026 announcing the termination of the Northeast Monsoon, indicating a shift in the wind direction from northeasterly to easterly. This also signifies the start of the warm and dry season in the country. Northern Luzon and the eastern section of the country experienced rainshowers or thunderstorms due to the northeast monsoon and easterlies, while the trough of a weather disturbance outside PAR brought rainy conditions over the eastern section of Visayas and Mindanao.

The highest recorded rainfall for the month was at Hinatuan Synoptic Station (353.3 mm), followed by Surigao City Synoptic Station (328.0 mm), and Borongan Synoptic Station (190.0 mm).
SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION
Wet – Surigao del Sur

Moist – Casiguran, Infanta, Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Visayas, Bohol, Surigao del Norte, North Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, and Lanao del Norte

Dry – The rest of the country
TEMPERATURE
Near to slightly above-average mean temperatures were observed in most parts of the country, with way below-average temperature in Benguet and Catbalogan Stations and slightly above-average mean temperatures in Dipolog City and Malaybalay City.

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro recorded the highest temperature with 37.2 °C on March 30, while BSU, La Trinidad Benguet logged the lowest temperature of 7.5 °C on March 14

• Land and Seedbed Preparations
• Planting and Transplanting
• Weed Management
• Pest and diseases management 		• Water Management
• Harvesting and Post-Harvest
• Fertilizer application
• Cleaning and Maintenance






The agricultural technicians, farmers, and farm enthusiasts may continue to browse some tips and additional knowledge on potential crop production, early warning for pest and disease infestations and water management strategies for specific areas by visiting the website of Department of Agriculture in their respective regions. For daily farm weather and climate conditions, you may visit PAGASA website (https://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/)
CROP STAGES REGION/CROPS
Land and Seedbed Preparation
(including preparation for garden plot, urban gardening, and upland farms), (irrigated and rainfed farms)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, National Capital Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, and BARMM
  • Corn – Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga
Planting and Transplanting
(broadcasting / direct seeding – for rice, corn, conventional way/ by rows - other cash crops)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, National Capital Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga
  • Corn – Cordillera Administrative Region, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Caraga
  • High Value Crops – All Regions
Vegetative Stage
(tillering, head development)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and BARMM
  • Corn – Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and BARMM
  • High Value Crops – All Regions
Reproductive Stage
(Heading – rice; Tasselling/Silking – corn)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Caraga, and BARMM
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and BARMM
Maturing/Ripening
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao,
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKARGEN and BARMM
Harvesting Stage
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and BARMM
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKARGEN, Caraga, and BARMM
  • High Value Crops – All Regions
  • The weather systems that will affect the country in April are the easterlies, ridge of high-pressure area (HPA), low-pressure areas (LPAs), tropical cyclone, and localized thunderstorms.
  • Zero or one (0 or 1) tropical cyclone (TC) may enter or develop within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) during the month.
  • As illustrated in Figure 2, below normal rainfall is expected over most of the country with some areas in Luzon and Visayas likely to receive near normal rainfall. Bataan and Cavite likely to experience way below normal rainfall.
FARM ADVISORY
Moisture evaporating from the soil can be greatly reduced by mulching (covering the soil around the plants) with straw, hay, wood bark, or leaves. Mulching can be done only after seedlings are several inches high and after thinning the plants. Monitor weather forecasts and advisories from DOST-PAGASA. Document weather impacts on crops to improve future planning and support climate-resilient practices.
Forecast Mean Temperature Anomaly
Near-normal to above-normal mean temperatures are expected across most parts of the country, with isolated areas likely to experience slightly cooler to cooler-than-average conditions.
ENSO ALERT SYSTEM STATUS
EL NIÑO WATCH
(as of 08 April 2026)
https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/climate/climate-advisories

ENSO-neutral conditions are present in the tropical Pacific and could persist in June-July-August 2026 season. However, most models reflect, El Niño is likely to emerge (62% chance) and can continue through at least the first quarter of 2027.

DOST-PAGASA will continue to closely monitor the evolving conditions in the tropical Pacific and provide updates should significant changes in the ENSO condition arise.
Prepared: RAMF
Checked: MEVT
Approved: TAC
Uploaded: RVDD