Agencies brace for dry spell

CEBU, Philippines - Government agencies based in Region 7 are not taking chances as far as preparing for the anticipated dry spell is concerned.

Yesterday, representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Metropolitan Cebu Water District, National Irrigation Authority, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources met yesterday to discuss and consolidate response efforts.

Joel Elumba, DA’s regional technical director for research and regulations, said the agency has set aside a special fund. He said preparations for El Niño started as far back as the last quarter of 2013.Elumba said DA’s mitigation and adaptation plan includes buffer stocking of drought-resistant seedlings (corn, rice, and other high-valued crops) and regular monitoring reporting from different areas in the region, among others.

As identified by DA, there are 71 vulnerable areas in Central Visayas with Cebu and Bohol topping the list. They are followed by Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

Meanwhile, NIA has advised farmers not to plant rice during the dry spell and instead go for drought-resistant crop varieties like watermelon, mango, and squash.

Close monitoring of irrigation systems across Central Visayas has also been done and decreases in water supply in Can-asujan Irrigation System (Carcar City, Cebu), Dauin (Negros Oriental), Nasig-id (Zamboangita, Negros Oriental), Tubigon (Bohol), Ilaya (San Pascual, Bohol).

No impact was noted in Calango (Zamboangita, Negros Oriental), Malinao (Pilar, Bohol), Bayongan (San Miguel, Bohol), Capayas (Ubay, Bohol), Talibon (Bohol).

Being the major water supplier in Metro Cebu, MCWD assured continuous production especially from surface water sources, which the government owned and controlled corporation identified to be gravely affected.

MCWD public affairs department manager Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara stressed that surface water only comprises 20 percent of MCWD operations.

MCWD serves around 160,000 households in four towns and four municipalities within the north and south areas of Metro Cebu.  One of the main concerns when dry spell hits is the red tide where marine resources become contaminated thereby affecting production and consumption.

With this, BFAR advised the public to be vigilant and monitor advisories from the agency. BFAR has noted a reduction in fish production in Bohol, Cebu and Negros Oriental.  (FREEMAN)