By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing various interventions, such as improved water management and the distribution of flood-tolerant rice varieties, in anticipation of the La Niña phenomenon.
“We are already preparing for La Niña. Currently, we are under a La Niña watch, but it is not yet officially in effect. We expect it to arrive in the last quarter,” said DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the end of El Niño in early June.
De Mesa stated that a major focus of the DA’s intervention for La Niña, which is characterized by above-normal rainfall, will be on water management.
“Our department’s intervention will focus on water management. The irrigation canals serve as pathways for water to reach the farmlands and also as outlets,” he explained.
In addition, the DA, in collaboration with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), will ensure that irrigation systems are fully operational.
(el Amigo/mnm)
