ILOILO – To ensure immediate interventions or measures for El Niño-affected areas in the province, a coordination meeting was held to formulate response plan.
On Wednesday, February 28, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias convened capitol department heads including Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Cornelio Salinas, Provincial Planning and Development Office head Mario N. Nillos, and Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Mitchelene P. Resano, among others.
Banias said they have agreed to conduct continuous monitoring of the weather and climate conditions and coordinate with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and other relevant agencies for updates and advisories.
He said it is important for the public and the local government units (LGUs) to be updated of the current and projected status of El Niño and its effects on the different sectors and areas. Thus, the Information Communication Technology Management Office and Public Information and Community Affairs Office were requested to come up with a regularly updated El Niño infographics.
Also, rapid assessment of the damages and losses caused by El Niño to the agriculture, fisheries, water, health, and other sectors in the province would be carried out.
Banias said the provincial government is planning to provide immediate relief and assistance to the affected farmers, fisherfolk and households, such as seeds, fertilizers, water, and food.
They are also considering giving cash assistance, if the situation warrants and if there is a declaration of a state of calamity.
Moreover, there is a need to implement disaster risk reduction and management strategies to prevent and reduce the risks of drought, fire, and other hazards associated with El Niño.
The provincial administrator further encouraged the public to implement water conservation and management measures to ensure adequate and sustainable supply of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use.
The aforementioned response plan would be presented to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Banias added.
As of Feb. 21, a partial report from the Provincial Agriculture Office indicated that 7,538.47 hectares have been impacted by El Niño, with 1,621.66 hectares completely damaged and 5,916.81 hectares partially damaged.
A total of 6,967 farmers in 13 municipalities have been affected.
The 13 impacted towns were Tigbauan (361.35 hectares affected), Oton (594.27 hectares), Tubungan (339.84 hectares), Anilao (1,147.30 hectares), San Enrique (140.19 hectares), Cabatuan (204.78 hectares), Barotac Nuevo (2,297.91 hectares), Miag-ao (35.45 hectares), Mina (222.50 hectares), Dingle (1,024.20 hectares), Dumangas (1,718.93 hectares), Igbaras (24.75 hectares), and Banate (527.00 hectares).
Data from the Office of the Civil Defense Region 6 showed that as of Feb. 28, the damage from El Niño in the region, especially in the agriculture sector, has so far reached P529 million.
