By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial government braces for the continued threat of the El Niño phenomenon in the next few months, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday.

Lacson said he saw a need to maximize water availability, as 60 percent of the province’s farmlands are already irrigated.

He added that local farmers have realized how important it is not to waste water.

Lacson said they have already identified impounding areas where they could store water, and the installation of additional water pumps may be needed.

The provincial government procured 30 water pumps for supply distribution to the irrigation system.

Lacson said local farmers are now producing five tons of rice per hectare, from the average of four tons.

Despite the looming threat of El Niño, Lacson is still encouraging farmers to harvest six tons of rice per hectare to increase supply.

Negros Occidental is currently 84 percent rice sufficient.

Earlier, provincial administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said their efforts will focus on productive and already irrigated lands to ensure ample rice supply in the province.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), which issued an El Niño alert in May last year, urged local government units and government agencies in Western Visayas to prepare for the potential effect of an intensified El Niño in the coming months.

Pagasa’s rainfall forecast from January to June 2024 showed that Negros Occidental is expected to receive below-normal rainfall conditions.

El Niño is a climate pattern which indicates an unusual warming of surface water in the Pacific Ocean.

The phenomenon increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, potentially causing dry spells, droughts and other adverse environmental effects.

Negros Occidental experienced moderate El Niño last year, as some areas experienced below-normal rainfall conditions./DGB, WDJ