43 provinces may still have below normal rainfall

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the end of the El Niño phenomenon, 43 provinces may still experience below normal rainfall conditions in July, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA said below normal conditions are expected over many parts of Luzon and the Visayas next month.

This means that these areas will receive up to 80 percent of the normal rainfall typical for the month, according to Ana Liza Solis, chief of the climate monitoring and prediction section of PAGASA.

“Most parts of Luzon, particularly in Mimaropa, parts of Bicol and Eastern Visayas may experience rainfall below normal levels,” Solis said in Filipino.

The climatologist said there is still plenty of rainfall expected, as the amount of rain is typically higher for July.

Meanwhile, rainfall conditions are expected to be above normal in 49 provinces by October.

A transition to a weak La Niña phenomenon is seen between August and October this year, as PAGASA said there is a 65 percent chance that La Niña will develop while entering in the last quarter.

La Niña is associated with above normal rainfall conditions that may bring adverse impacts such as floods and landslides.

Climate change fight

Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga on yesterday said the efforts to minimize the impact of climate change are gaining headway with the implementation of an action plan along with its support mechanisms through the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP).

Loyzaga, also the official representative of President Marcos to the Climate Change Commission, said the NAP and its companion measure, the NDCIP, are in full swing in the collective efforts to address the impacts of climate change and make local governments adapt to them and become resilient.

Loyzaga has mobilized support for the NAP and NDCIP, particularly in coordinating the assistance and investments of development partners and financial institutions to achieve mitigation and adaptation goals.

The Philippines is one of the only 56 countries that have submitted their NAP to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. — Bella Cariaso