By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is confident that the province will be able to manage the upcoming dry spell caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

In a radio interview over Bombo Radyo-Bacolod, Lacson said this is not the first time that the province had experienced a dry spell.

He said the province would still have a high chance of going through the phenomenon this year.

Lacson doesn’t see any problems as vast areas in the province are well-irrigated and as long as it is unhampered.

There is no problem for rice and sugarcane farmers as the milling season is coming to its close, he added.

He advised them to finish their harvest for this season and make preparations for next year.

The governor also revealed that they will be reviewing some assistance options for local farmers.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) confirmed the beginning of the dry season on Tuesday, March 21.

Pagasa also said El Niño, a weather phenomenon characterized by below-normal rainfall, could persist until 2024.

Climate projections by the state weather bureau said the phenomenon could begin by the third quarter of 2023 and could last until next year./DGB, WDJ