El Niño damage hits P151 million in Western Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula

MANILA, Philippines — Citing data from the agriculture department, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama yesterday said the amount of damage caused by El Niño in Western Visayas and Zamboanga peninsula has reached P151.3 million.

Rice accounted for a huge bulk or 93 percent of the damaged crops while corn constituted six percent of the affected farm products.

A total of 41 provinces are affected by El Niño, 17 of them experiencing dry conditions, 10 grappling with dry spell and 14 facing drought.

“The figure may rise. We are still in the middle of February. We will have another assessment and the number of affected provinces will increase,” Villarama said.

He gave an assurance that the government’s El Niño task force is assisting the 4,000 farmers affected by the phenomenon.

Villarama said agencies are finding ways so farmers can still plant crops despite the high temperatures, adding that farmers were given aid, heat-tolerant and heat-resistant seeds and livestock to serve as an alternative source of livelihood.

The government is also monitoring the water quality and temperature of fisheries, he said.

The agriculture department previously said the supply of rice, corn, pork, chicken and other commodities are “very stable” and there would be no problems in the coming months.

The government yesterday called for “behavioral change” to mitigate the impact of El Niño, which is expected to be felt until May or June.

Villarama said while the Marcos administration is working to mitigate the effects of El Niño, the public can contribute by conserving water and electricity.

“We are also asking for your help so we can overcome the possible impact of El Niño in terms of small behavioral changes, like conserving water, conserving power and conserving food,” Villarama, spokesman for the government’s El Niño task force, told dzBB.

He reminded the public to turn off electronic appliances that are not in use. He also advised consumers against the extended use of water and electricity.

“There would be a disruption in the supply if the use of electricity and water is extended,” Villarama said.

When asked about the use of inflatable pools to beat the summer heat, Villarama recommended drinking water instead. He noted that the temperature in Metro Manila may reach 36.5 degrees Celsius, while that in Northern Luzon may hit 40 degrees Celsius. The normal body temperature is 37.5 degrees Celsius.

“If the ambient temperature or the temperature within the surroundings reaches above normal temperature, we would overheat. So, it would be better if you prioritize your body, protect your scalp and hydrate regularly,” he said. “The use of electric fans is not prohibited, but what we are saying is it should be reduced. It should not be extended.”

Task force working with DRRMCs

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that the El Niño task force is working closely with local disaster risk reduction and management councils (DRRMCs) in laying out disaster preparedness action plans that will mitigate the impact of the weather phenomenon.

Teodoro said that they were mindful of the directive of President Marcos for an alignment of the task force preparedness measures with the DRRMCs in the grassroots all over the country.

“Our local chief executives and DRRMCs are in the best position to determine the needs of their communities during crisis and emergencies,” Teodoro said on Sunday. “Effectively addressing the effects of El Niño across the country surely requires all hands on deck.”

He stressed that the task force’s efforts will streamline the national government’s response to the weather phenomenon, saying that the President wants to focus on “systematic, holistic, and results-driven interventions.”

“We should all cooperate and coordinate as we deal with the effects of and concerns on El Niño. We do not need a new structure. What we need is to breathe fresh energy and a new lease on life on the existing networks and links that we have all access to,” the defense chief and task force chairperson said.

“At the regional and local government levels, we can reignite old connections of collaboration. We have done this in handling past disasters and calamities. The provincial DRRMCs and city DRRMCs should restart reconnecting,” Teodoro said.

During the second task force meeting chaired by Teodoro in Camp Aguinaldo last Feb. 12, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Marlo Iringan said regional directors, as well as local DRRMCs are being alerted for El Niño response efforts.

This was after the DILG agreed with Teodoro’s position to align local government units, as well as provincial and city level DRRMCs, with Marcos’ whole-of-government approach to mitigate and manage the impact of El Niño.

“As in any disaster or calamity, the provincial, city, municipal and barangay level DRRMCs should take the lead and get involved,” Teodoro told the DILG executive during the meeting.

On Jan. 19, Marcos signed Executive Order 53 to streamline, reactivate and reconstitute the old El Niño task forces under EO 16 (s. 2001) and Memorandum Order 38 (s. 2019). Teodoro was designated as chairman of the task force, while Science Secretary Renato Solidum was designated as co-chairman.

Under EO 53, the President instructed the task force to develop a comprehensive disaster preparedness and rehabilitation plan for El Niño and La Niña, to help the public cope and minimize their devastating effects. — Rainier Allan Ronda