Monthly Philippine Agro-climatic Review and Outlook

May 2025


In May, the country experienced various weather systems, including the frontal system, intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), easterlies, low pressure areas (LPAs), ridge of high-pressure area (HPA), southwest (SW) monsoon and localized thunderstorms.

As illustrated in Figure 1, above-normal rainfall condition were experienced over Visayas, Mindanao, Quezon, Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Zambales, and extreme Northern Luzon, while below to near normal rainfall conditions were mostly observed over the rest of Luzon.

The highest recorded rainfall for the month was at PSPC, Mambusao Synoptic Station (616.8 mm), followed by Hinatuan Synoptic Station (528.2 mm), and Borongan Synoptic Station (489.9 mm).

No tropical cyclone entered or developed within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) during the month.


SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION
Wet – Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, extreme part of Cagayan Valley, Zambales, Aurora, Bataan, CAR, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Panay Island, Siquijor, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and BARMM

Moist – Cagayan, rest of Ilocos Region, rest of Central Luzon, NCR, Coron Island, Aborlan, Camarines Norte, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Southern Leyte, some parts of Northern Mindanao, some parts of Davao Region, and Surigao del Norte


Dry – Rest of the country

TEMPERATURE
  • Visayas experienced near to below average surface air temperatures while Mindanao observed near to slightly above average surface air temperatures. Meanwhile, Luzon recorded near to above average surface air temperature
  • ISU, Echague, Isabela recorded the highest maximum temperature of 39.2°C on May 24, while Benguet State University registered the lowest temperature at 15.0°C on May 9.

HEAT INDEX MONITORING
Station Heat Index Date
Dagupan City, Pangasinan 48 May 20
Aparri, Cagayan 47 May 19
Sangley Point, Cavite 47 May 26
San Jose, Occidental Mindoro 47 May 16
Daet, Camarines Norte 47 May 12
Not Hazardous (< 27) Caution (27 – 31) Extreme Caution (33 – 41) Danger (42 – 51) Extreme Danger (> 51)

FARM OPERATIONS
• Land and Seedbed Preparations
• Planting and Transplanting
• Weed Management
• Field monitoring
• Pest and diseases management
• Irrigation and Water Management
• Fertilizer and Soil Nutrient Management
• Harvesting
• Equipment and Infrastructure Maintenance
• Post-Harvest Handling and Processing







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)
  • Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga and BARMM
Planting and Transplanting (broadcasting / direct seeding – for rice, corn, conventional way/ by rows - other cash crops)
  • Rice – Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga
  • Corn – Central Visayas, Davao Region, and SOCCSKSARGEN
Vegetative Stage (tillering, head development)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN and Caraga
  • Corn – Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and SOCCSKSARGEN
  • Abaca, alugbati, ampalaya, arrowroot, avocado, banana, basil, batao, baguio beans, beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cadios, cacao, calamansi, camote tops, carrot, cashew, cassava, cauliflower, celery, chayote, chico, chili, chili pepper, coconut, coffee, condol, corn, cotton, cowpea, cucumber, dalandan, dragon fruit, durian, eggplant, fern leaves, garlic, ginger, guava, guyabano, habichuelas, honeydew, jackfruit, jute, kamansi, kamias, kangkong, kinchay, lanzones, lemongrass, lemon, lettuce, long chili, long pepper, longan, malunggay, mango, mangosteen, marang, mint, moringa, mushroom, mulberry, mustard, mung bean, okra, onion, onion leeks, orange, oregano, papaya, pandan, patani, patola, peanut, pechay, pechay baguio, pili nut, pineapple, pomelo, potato, radish, rambutan, rubber, santol, snap bean, snow peas, soybean, spinach, squash, star apple, star fruit, strawberry, string bean, sugarcane, sweet pepper, sweet potato, tamarind, talinum, tapilan, taro, tobacco, tomato, turmeric, turnip, ube, ubi, upo, watermelon, winged bean, and yacon
Reproductive Stage (Heading – rice; Tasseling/Silking – corn)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga
Maturing/Ripening
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and BARMM
  • Corn – Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, and BARMM
Harvesting Stage
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and BARMM
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and BARMM
  • abaca, alugbati, ampalaya, aratilis, arrowroot, avocado, baguio beans, banana, banana blossom, batao, beetroot, bell pepper, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cadios, cacao, calamansi, camote tops, carrot, cassava, catmon fruit, celery, cherry tomato, chayote, chili, chili pepper, chinese cabbage, cilantro, coconut, coffee, coriander, corn, cotton, cucumber, dalandan, dragon fruit, duhat, durian, eggplant, fern leaves, french beans, garlic, ginger, grapes, green onion, guava, guyabano, habichuelas, honey dew, honeydew, jackfruit, jute, kaimito, kamansi, kangkong, lemongrass, lemon, lettuce, long chili, long pepper, malunggay, mango, mangosteen, marang, melon, mulberry, mung bean, mushroom, mustard, okra, onion, onion leeks, orange, oregano, papaya, pandan, patola, peanut, pechay, pepper, pili nut, pineapple, pomelo, potato, purple corn, radish, rambutan, saluyot, santol, sineguelas, snap bean, snap beans, snow peas, spinach, squash, star apple, star fruit, strawberry, string bean, sugarcane, sweet pea, sweet pepper, sweet potato, talinum, tamarind, taro, tobacco, tomato, turnip, ubi, ube, upo, upô, watercress, watermelon, and winged bean
  • The weather systems that will affect the country in June are the ridge of high-pressure areas (HPAs), easterlies, shearline, frontal system, intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), southwest (SW) monsoon, low-pressure areas (LPAs), and localized thunderstorms.
  • One or two (1 or 2) tropical cyclones (TC) may enter or develop within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) during the month.
  • As illustrated in Figure 2, near normal rainfall over the country, except for Masbate which will likely expect above normal rainfall condition.
  • Onset of Rainy Season (June 2): DOST-PAGASA officially declares the onset of the rainy season over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas, following several days of scattered to widespread rainfall brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat). While the wet season has begun, monsoon breaks may still occur and last for several days or weeks.
  • Effective 03 June 2025, DOST-PAGASA will temporarily stop issuing daily heat index updates following the official onset of the rainy season. Updates will resume on 01 March 2026 during the hot and dry season. Heat index data remains available via the DOST-PAGASA website and iHeatMap. For areas still experiencing hot weather, the public is advised to follow local advisories and take appropriate precautions.

FARM ADVISORY

During the wet season, farmers should ensure proper drainage in their fields to prevent waterlogging that can damage crops. Use flood-tolerant or early-maturing crop varieties when necessary. Protect young plants by reinforcing seedbeds and using plastic covers during heavy rains. Time fertilizer application during dry periods to prevent leaching and wastage, and avoid overapplication. Regularly remove weeds and crop debris that can harbor pests and diseases, which thrive in moist conditions. Store harvested crops, seeds, and farm inputs in dry, covered, and elevated areas to prevent spoilage. Stay updated with localized weather forecasts and advisories from DOST-PAGASA to guide safe and timely farming decisions.


Forecast Mean Temperature Anomaly

Near to above avearge mean temperature conditions will be expereinced across the country, except in Romblon, northern Palawan, and Occidental Mindoro expecting slightly cooler than average temperatures.


ENSO ALERT SYSTEM STATUS
INACTIVE
(as of 04 June 2025)



ENSO-neutral condition is present in the tropical Pacific. Most climate models indicate that this condition will likely continue through August-September-October 2025 season.

Extreme Temperature Range

Luzon
Upland: 14.6 ºC – 27.8 ºC
Lowland: 21.0 ºC – 39.0 ºC
Visayas
Lowland: 20.7 ºC – 36.6 ºC
Mindanao
Upland: 16.4 ºC – 33.1ºC
Lowland: 20.9 ºC – 36.6 ºC

PAGASA will continue to closely monitor the climate conditions that may affect the country and updates shall be issued as appropriate. For further information, please contact the Climatology and Agrometeorology Division (CAD) at telephone number 8284-0800, local 4915.

For the simplified version, please download at: https://bit.ly/SimplifiedMPARO
Prepared by: MTR
Checked by: MEVT
Approved by: TAC
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