THE provincial government is ready to counter impact El Niño phenomenon primarily on the province’s agriculture expected to be felt from the last quarter of 2023 up to the first quarter of 2024.

Vice Gov. Mark Lambino expressed confidence on the readiness of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to respond to strong typhoons and other calamities while the office of the agriculture is also ready to implement measures and to mitigate the impact of El Niño.

Lambino said the medium-term programs being implemented in the province like corporate farming launched several months ago resulted in the increase of yield by 15 percent with 10 percent lesser inputs.

It was Fourth District Board Member Jerry Agerico Rosario who sponsored the Question Hour of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session, to validate information on effects of El Niño phenomenon in the province and the mitigating measures being adopted after the UN’s World Meteorological Organization said there is a 90% probability of this weather event continuing during the second half of 2023.

Engr. Jose Estrada, chief meteorologist of the Philippine Atmospheric Geological and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Pangasinan is still not yet affected by El Niño.  “It is expected to be felt at the last quarter of 2023 until the first quarter of 2024,” he said.

Rhodyn Oro, PDRRMO chief, said that as early as May, the El Niño watch, issuing advisories and began coordinating with the offices of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Provincial Veterinarian, was already formed.

He said its recent meeting on July 10, was presided by Gov. Ramon Guico III as chairman.

During the meeting, a proposal made for a memorandum of agreement for the One Response Command Center, part of it is the Pangasinan 911, an integrated program that will help in their preparation during calamities including the ill effects of El Niño.

For her part, Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya said months ago, they identified vulnerable areas in Pangasinan among 184,000 hectares of rice areas and rainfed areas comprise 39 percent or 21,000 hectares. District 1 has the highest number of rainfed areas.

She added that even irrigated areas, like those in the tail-end, will also be hit.

BM Rosario urged farmers to plant drought-resistant plants and provision of additional irrigation facilities. (Eva Visperas)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments