Manila: The Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas is urging the public to equip themselves with information about the El Ni±o phenomenon, which is forecast to impact the region from June to August this year.
According to Philippines News Agency, Civil Defense Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Division Head Melissa Banias noted that the public is already experiencing the introductory effect of the phenomenon, like the high temperature. "(OCD) Director Raul Fernandez always reminds the people to be aware of El Ni±o and its effects. We should always monitor advisories from PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) and take precautionary measures," Banias said in an interview.
Fernandez convened on April 29 the various DRRM councils in the region for the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) scenario building for El Ni±o 2026. Banias said that according to PAGASA, the current high temperature is "not El Ni±o per se." "We are still in the El Ni±o alert. Meaning, there's a 70 percent chance that within the next three months we will experience El Ni±o," she said.
She added that they are waiting for guidance from the NDRRM council for the establishment of the national El Ni±o team to align the structure at the regional level. The PDRA was also a venue for local government units, through their DRRM councils, to lay down the specific interventions needed from national government agencies.
Among their concerns are water shortage, especially in areas that are vulnerable to drought, like in Guimaras where there are areas that have limited water. The region, Barias said, already has its own comprehensive integrated action plan, which will be revised and enhanced once there are guidelines from the central office.
In 2023, the region sustained over PHP1.7-billion losses in agriculture, affecting 3,435.13 hectares of crops and 41,673 farmers and fisherfolk. This year, the El Ni±o is forecasted to be moderate to high. "We anticipated the significant impact of El Ni±o in Western Visayas, which is why we have to prepare for it," Banias added.
