TABUK CITY – As the city bears the adverse effects of El Niño, the city government prepares to formulate a contingency plan to address its impact and ensure the safety of residents during the expected prolonged dry season.
During the 2nd quarter City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) meeting today, the council was prompted to take immediate action to mitigate the effects of El Niño following reports of agricultural losses, droughts, health concerns, and water supply shortages.
The contingency plan (ConPlan) includes an El Niño Task Force that will be in charge of overseeing the execution of emergency response protocols, drought management strategies, public awareness, and assistance provision to affected residents.
The ConPlan will also include strategies and proactive measures to address farmers’ problems related to water shortages, irrigation concerns, and agricultural losses.
The council further plans to gather data on the damages caused by El Niño in agriculture which will be used to declare the city in a state of emergency and offer more aid and support to farmers impacted by the drought.
Meanwhile, Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero suggested realigning savings from the city government’s unimplemented programs and activities for assistance and proposed tapping national agencies like DOLE to include affected farmers in their TUPAD Program.
According to an advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Services Administration, Kalinga is among the 25 provinces likely to be affected by extreme heat and drought until May this year. By Ruth Cupang