MALASIQUI: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated PHP3.1 billion for activities and interventions aimed to cushion the impact of the looming La Niña phenomenon to the agriculture sector in the Ilocos Region. DA-Ilocos information officer Vida Cacal, in a phone interview on Monday, said among the preparations made by the agency are the creation of Task Force against La Niña, conduct of briefings and surveys both for DA personnel and the farmers, and updating of identified vulnerable or flood-prone areas in the region. The task force would help since the identified focal person will be responsible for data gathering while the information, education, the campaign (IEC) materials are also crucial to help the farmers in their preparations, she said. Cacal said the IEC materials were distributed regionwide and broadcast platforms are also being used to disseminate information. 'In Ilocos Region, we have the wet and dry season… Although the farmers already know the preparations (for La Niña), they stil l need guidance and support from the agencies to be truly prepared,' she said. La Niña is the opposite of El Niño. Instead of extreme dry spells, unusually heavy rains are experienced during La Niña. Aside from the preparatory measures, the maximization or optimization strategy for non-vulnerable areas is also part of the interventions, Cacal said. 'It is part of the action plan strategy for the identified non-vulnerable areas to be maximized for production so in case the vulnerable areas will be affected, the production of the non-vulnerable areas will complement the possible losses,' she said. Under this measure, the DA will provide hybrid seeds and fertilizer vouchers, and rehabilitate irrigation systems in the non-vulnerable areas. Cacal said the forecasted onset of La Niña will be in the months of June, July and August when there is a 60 percent probability of its occurrence during these times. 'So, DA prepared activities and strategies to ensure that farmers are prepared in case it would affect th eir farmlands,' she said. Of the total fund allocated for these measures, Cacal said they have utilized PHP3 billion. 'It is also a huge help that other national government agencies and local government units are part of these strategies for our farmers and the agriculture sector,' she added. Source: Philippines News agency