San Manuel:Pangasinan The provincial government of Pangasinan, in collaboration with national government agencies, is actively supporting farmers' and fisherfolk associations to combat the challenges posed by a severe El Niño phenomenon.

According to Philippines News Agency, provincial agriculturist Dalisay Moya announced the distribution of water pumps to farmers' associations starting in January next year as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of El Niño. The Department of Agriculture has allocated over PHP1.5 billion for the region's El Niño action plan, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Labor and Employment have pledged assistance to those affected.

The provincial government, along with various government agencies including the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, National Irrigation Administration, and others, convened a congress with farmers and fishers to disseminate crucial information on El Niño. Governor Ramon Guico III emphasized the importance of understanding the phenomenon and preparing to minimize its impact on the local agricultural community.

Moya indicated that approximately 37,000 hectares of land and around 38,000 farmers, along with 15,200 fishers, may be affected by El Niño, especially in areas at the tail end of irrigation systems. An additional 50,000 hectares of rain-fed areas in the province could also suffer.

Despite these challenges, Moya reported that San Roque Dam in San Manuel has sufficient water reserves for irrigation due to recent rainfall, which has contributed to groundwater recharge. NIA principal engineer Harry Villanueva advised farmers to adopt rotational cropping schedules and avoid planting when water is scarce to prevent losses. The National Irrigation Administration continues to inspect and repair irrigation canals to maintain water flow.