TACLOBAN CITY, March 26 -- The below-normal rainfall will not impact rice production despite reports that the dry spell has affected several farms in Leyte and Samar provinces, Department of Agriculture (DA) official said on Tuesday.

The towns of Leyte, Calubian, and San Isidro in Leyte province; Sta. Margarita in Samar; and Biliran in Biliran have reported drying of fields, said DA Eastern Visayas disaster risk reduction management focal person Ma. Luisa Capili.

"There were manifestations of dry spells in some rice areas. We have ongoing validation and monitoring of the El Nino event," Capili said.

The official said the region is not experiencing the El Nino phenomenon since the majority of the areas still experience rainfall, but the...