VICE Governor Mark Lambino expressed confidence that Pangasinan will be able to overcome the impact of El Niño phenomenon but equally expressed concern over its effects, particularly on farmers whose livelihood depends on farming.

In an interview with the local media on March 4, Lambino said based on their assessment, Pangasinan can cope with the anticipated effects of El Niño.

He said a briefer from the Department of Agriculture last week identified areas in the Philippines already affected by El Niño, including Pangasinan and only few areas in the province are experiencing drought. He, however, did not identify the areas.

“We are even luckier because unlike in other provinces like in Central Philippines, they’re starting to have big cracks of their soil and (these are) extremely dry,” Lambino said.

He admitted that the budget for El Niño mitigation is not included in the 2024 provincial government appropriation because the declaration to have El Niño phenomenon was late but he was quick to add that there are always provisions in the budgets of towns and cities.

Lambino said the provincial government is able to align some programs to address El Nino citing its efficient fiscal management where surplus collections can be used to create appropriations to address El Niño.

He said El Nino is one natural calamity that is difficult to manage and urged the people to conserve water.

He said service water pumps in most of the affected areas no longer release water but fortunately water level in the dams have not yet reached critical level and asked that the irrigation water from San Roque Dam, whose primary purpose is irrigation for farmers in Eastern Pangasinan, should be closely monitored in the next few months.

Meanwhile, the provincial government will focus its assistance to famers with their alternative crops, the vice governor said. (Eva Visperas)

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