The Negros Occidental provincial government earmarked P15.38-million initial funding for El Niño as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration issued a warning of an 80 percent probability of the phenomenon by June to August this year.

Dr. Edmundo Raul Causing, chief of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) said he was elated as Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson approved the initial El Niño funding for the recommended interventions to the Office of the Governor to prepare the province for the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon.

Causing said El Niño will bring in less rain than normal, resulting in a long dry spell or drought.

Occurring every seven years, he said, the extreme heat impacts agriculture as the water level goes down, affecting dams and irrigation.

This could result in low agricultural product output which, if left unchecked, eventually leads to food shortage, he noted, adding that the province has already created the El Niño Task Force where a “Patubig Team” was formed.

The team will monitor water levels in rivers and other bodies of water and submit findings for proper action.

Causing said the preliminary draft OPA submitted to the governor included the acquisition of materials and equipment to maximize available moisture.

“OPA will distribute alternative or diversified cash crops as rain-fed areas are the first to get hit,” Causing said.

OPA will also conduct resiliency and livelihood training, and product development for affected communities.

According to him, the province will also resort to implementing the “Food for Work” program to alleviate the plight of those affected, while cloud seeding will also be considered should the need arise.

Causing called on the cooperation of the Negrenses to be aware and conscious of water conservation with the coming of El Niño. (PIA-6 Negros Occidental)