EDITORIAL - El Niño phenomenon

Weather forecasters have yet to officially declare the onset of the dry season. But Filipinos are now feeling the effects of the “mild” El Niño phenomenon that is soon expected to sweep through the country.

In the previous dry spells, the country had lost agricultural products worth billions of pesos as many farmlands that used to be food granaries had turned into ghost areas

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that some areas in the country will experience below normal rainfall starting this month until May as the dry spell takes effect.

And Cebu is now feeling the effects of the El Niño. But the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) sees no reason to push for the declaration of the province under state of calamity this early as it is still assessing the situation in towns and cities.

In Cebu City, at least 28 mountain barangays are now suffering water shortage. As the dry weather begins to take its toll, the effects of the next harvest of crops in Busay, Pulangbato, Budlaan, Binaliw, Mabini, Agsungot, Malubog, Taptap, Adlaon, Guba, Lusaran, Cambinocot, Paril, Sirao, Pamutan, Toong, Sapangdaku, Kalunasan, Buhisan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Babag, Bonbon, Sudlon 1, Sudlon 2, Sinsin, Tagbao, Tabunan, and Buot Taop are expected to be heavy owing to the lack of water supply.

“They are still able to harvest their existing crops while the others are still preparing their lands. The second cropping, however, will be affected already by the lack of water supply,” said to Cebu City Agriculturist Apple Tribunalo.

Although the El Niño phenomenon is seen to be mild, the weather bureau said its results cannot be determined. But as we brace for the onslaught of the dry spell, we do hope authorities, especially the local government units, have already prepared measures to counter its effects.