ANTIQUE – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) outlined its efforts and plans to cushion the impacts of the continuing El Niño phenomenon in Antique province.
PDRRMC’s action plan is in line with the National El Niño Action Plan and banks on the intensified coordination and collaboration of the inter-agency task group members to safeguard the community amid the scorching heat, depleting water resources, and dried-out agricultural lands.
PDRRM officer Broderick Train said the public must not take the situation lightly and contribute to efforts that promote public welfare while considering the recommendations of the authorities cited in the plan.
The action plan includes preparatory measures imposed even before the onset of the dry spell, interventions and initiatives being taken, and those that will soon be carried out to improve government response and prevent further harm to people and damage to critical sectors such as agriculture and fisheries.
In reducing the humanitarian impact of El Niño, the action plan on social and public safety consists of the Bureau of Fire Protection’s “Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan,” which advocates fire safety and crucial water conservation, water rationing should the need arise, the establishment of cooling centers equipped with fans, shade, and hydration stations, and maximizing rainwater harvesting and storage.
In terms of health, the action plan seeks to secure proper sanitation in public facilities and safe water for everyday use, while intensifying disease surveillance and control, prepositioning supplies and vaccines should there be a breakout of diseases, and strengthening health education and promotion for increased awareness.
Meanwhile, authorities in the agriculture sector stressed in the action plan the importance of regularly monitoring the price of necessities and prime commodities, opting for short-maturing variety seeds and heat-resistant seeds, adjusting the cropping calendar and pattern of planting, vaccination, and deworming of livestock, implementing a rotational irrigation scheme, and other water-saving farming technologies.
To optimize water use in farmlands, the National Irrigation Authority is also conducting close monitoring of water levels in rivers and dams and the construction of brush dams to raise water levels in rivers and divert water to the irrigation system intake.
To secure water resources, water districts are expected to perform regular inspections of main lines and service lines to identify and immediately correct leakages, search for illegal and flying connections, hold violators accountable, and promote water recycling on top of efficient water-use tips.
With this action plan and through the active participation of stakeholders and the public, the PDRRMC is looking forward to effectively addressing the risks and overcoming the impacts of El Niño on the lives and livelihood of the Antiqueños, with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan expressing legislation support for the endeavors of the inter-agency body. (PIA Antique)/PN
