MALACAÑANG— The significant El Niño presence in the Tropical Pacific has further intensified, reaching its peak in the next months as sea surface’s anomalies have risen to 1.5 centigrade. In addition, most of the global climate suggests that its effect will last until the second quarter next year.
El Niño is currently felt in various parts of the Philippines characterized by the reduction of rainfall up to 80%, which led to dry spells. Dry spells are episodes where there is 21% to 80% reduction of rainfall compared to the average normal months data. Moreover, tropical cyclones in the previous months have contributed to the persistence of dry conditions in some areas of the country.
Based on recent conditions, moderate to severe drought conditions are likely from February to May 2024; by the end of May, 77% or 65 provinces of the country will have potential for drought, and 7% potential for dry spell or around 6 provinces affected.
This data from El Niño advisory No. 6 of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration issued on December 6 was highlighted during a Tuesday press briefing in Malacañang led by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum. For these reasons, he emphasized on the need to intensify efforts in various fields such as health, water, agriculture, energy, security and among others.
He said that the government is focusing on an updated national action plan that will cater the needs of different fields. The national action plan aims to minimize the phenomenon effect which has been divided into several sectors including water security, food security, energy security, management of diseases and illness, and public safety. These efforts are all for safe, peaceful and orderly communities to be maintained all over the country. Ensuring a faster approach, Secretary Solidum shared that President Marcos has ordered to categorize actions into short and medium plans.
In the record, the Philippines have experienced extreme drought during the 1997-1998 episode wherein 70% of the country were affected with a massive damage in agriculture. As a response, Secretary Solidum said that El Niño today would likely be comparable to the previous episode. With this information they look forward to the preparation particularly in the agricultural sector to make sure that water and the energy are not that affected. “We have to make sure that if food is affected, the supply should be amplified because it may also affect the pricing. So that is the critical thing. We need to have food stocks,” Secretary Solidum said. There were also budgeting proposals for increased budgets as requested by different agencies.
Secretary Solidum concluded by emphasizing that the event has a whole government approach and the society must also be aware in preparation. “We need your help here in informing our countrymen and also educating them on what needs to be done.,” he stressed in the media. By Adrian Mas