Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday assured the agriculture sector's preparedness against the effects of possible extreme weather disturbances in the Philippines. The agency made the remark after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported a 92 percent probability that the southwest monsoon or 'habagat' will coincide with Super El Ni±o from June to August.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a phone interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the El Ni±o Task Force has been activated for some time to help protect local food production nationwide. 'Yes. Nag-utos na si Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., na-activate na matagal na yung El Ni±o Task Force para tumugon sa isyu sa El Ni±o (Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has earlier ordered it, the El Ni±o Task Force has long been activated to respond to the issue of El Ni±o),' he told the Philippine News Agency.
Although cyclones are expected to be fewer, De Mesa said they are likely to be stronger, with the possibility of flooding. 'Medyo masalimuot kasi (It's somehow complicated because) while we are expecting drought, we're also expecting matinding pagbaha dahil nga malalakas yung mga ulan. So, medyo extreme iyan (severe flooding due to strong storms. So, it's somehow extreme),' he said.
Regarding the effects of El Ni±o, he said the DA is intensifying the promotion of drought-tolerant varieties and the use of solar irrigation systems. Possible rains, however, may benefit land preparation and early vegetative stages of palay (unhusked rice) production from June to July. 'June to July okay pa iyan kasi kailangan natin ng tubig at saka para mapuno nga iyong mga dams (It's okay from June to July because we need water and it will help fill up dams),' de Mesa said.
'So, welcome sa atin 'yung mga tubig. Huwag lang yung sobrang dami na masira yung mga bukirin, pero yung pag-uulan that time, kayang-kaya pa iyan i-absorb ng dams (So, we still welcome waters. But not the excessive volume wherein our farmlands will be devastated, but our dams can absorb rains during that time).'
Besides appropriate crop varieties and timing, the DA also assured the availability of a quick response fund for recovery, along with the prepositioning of seedlings, fertilizers and other agricultural inputs, among others.
