By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The government has given P1.1 billion worth of financial assistance, gas assistance, food packs, and equipment to farmers and families affected by El Niño.

This was revealed on Friday (5 April 2024) by Task Force El Niño spokesperson Joey Villarama as nearly 20 local government units (LGU) have declared a state of calamity due to the scorching heat.

“May iba tayong naririnig na lalawigan na nagma-mull o nag-iisip mag-declare ng state of calamity pero po kailangan po pasok sa criteria. Dapat 15 percent ng populasyon ay apektado, 30 percent ng kabuhayan ay apektado at may structures na dapat din apektado,” Villarama said.

He disclosed that the areas under a state of calamity include Oriental Mindoro, and some municipalities in Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Ifugao, Antique, and Zamboanga City.

According to data from the Department of Agriculture (DA), agricultural damage due to El Niño has reached P2.63 billion.

“Hindi naman mao-offset ‘yong damage na P2.63 bilyon nung P1 bilyong tulong, ngunit kahit papaano po, naibsan ang paghihirap ng mga mamamayan na apektado ng El Niño. Farmers ang apektado sa mga sakahan ngunit ang pamilya nila, in terms of individuals, ang apektado ay mga kalahating milyon, hindi lamang mga magsasaka, ang tulong ay para sa kanilang immediate family,” Villara explained.

(el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — In an alarming update, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) has revealed that at least 65 provinces in the Philippines are expected to face severe drought conditions from February to May next year due to an impending “strong” El Niño.

According to Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, Wednesday (13 Dec 2023), approximately 7 percent of the country’s total provinces may experience a dry spell during this period.

Solidum cautioned that the maximum temperatures, particularly in Northern Luzon, could soar to 41 degrees Celsius, with the heat index potentially elevating it by an additional 5 to 15 degrees.

Metro Manila might witness temperatures reaching 38.3 degrees, lowland Luzon at 39.9 degrees, and Mindanao at 39.5 degrees in April.

The DoST emphasized the need for proactive measures and heightened preparedness, urging a collective effort across various sectors such as health, water, agriculture, sanitation, and peace and order.

Solidum stressed, “We need to further intensify our efforts to make sure that we are ready for this, and we also need to involve everyone in this effort.”

Pagasa Officer in Charge Nathaniel Servando previously warned of drought affecting Batangas, Cavite, and Oriental Mindoro starting in December this year.

The dry conditions are defined as three consecutive months of below-normal rainfall, while a dry spell is characterized by two consecutive months of below-normal rainfall.

Solidum raised concerns that the upcoming El Niño episode could be comparable to the severe conditions experienced in 1997 and 1998.

To address this, the government has prepared a national action plan (NAP) focusing on water, food, energy security, and public safety. This plan will be executed through collaborative efforts involving various government agencies and local communities.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued a directive to coordinate plans across sectors, emphasizing a categorization of actions into short and medium-term strategies.

Solidum emphasized the urgency of a comprehensive information campaign to educate citizens and the government on mitigating the effects of the impending El Niño. “We need to plan, and we should make it fast,” he concluded.

(JR AMIGO/ ai/mnm)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has called on government agencies to accelerate the construction of irrigation projects and other initiatives aimed at mitigating the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon.

Marcos emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and the Filipino people in preparing for the potential adverse effects of El Niño. He has set a deadline for government agencies to complete all El Niño-related mitigation projects.

“Given the limited time we have left, these projects have become more crucial and urgent. With just four months remaining, we need to ensure the completion and operational readiness of all these endeavors,” Marcos stated during his speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Balbalungao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (BSRIP) in Nueva Ecija.

He further stressed that he has tasked government departments to evaluate what can be accomplished by April of the following year, ensuring that by May, sufficient water supply is available in anticipation of the dry season.

Additionally, Marcos reminded the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to swiftly finalize the construction of irrigation facilities.

The Department of Science and Technology predicted that at least six (6) provinces in the Philippines will be hardest hit by the El Nino phenomenon beginning in March next year.

(ai/mnm)