• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod city government is stepping up contingency measures as a strengthening El Niño phenomenon threatens water security and agricultural stability, Mayor Greg Gasataya said.
He said he already directed the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to formulate response strategies weeks ahead of the official climate warnings.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the ongoing climate event could intensify into a “very strong” El Niño next month with dry conditions expected to persist until the first half of 2027.
Gasataya said the city government acquired additional water tankers, filtration systems, and equipment to facilitate emergency water distribution to barangays that will be affected by the expected prolonged drought.
He pointed out that procurement of hardware addresses only part of the problem during the protracted dry spell. “Even if you have all the support facilities, if you don’t have the source, that’s the biggest problem. But we are now studying options, together with the city engineers, for a different possible source of water.”
Gasataya said he is waiting for a reply to the letter he sent to the Bacolod City Water District on the water supply situation in the city, operational assessments, immediate contingency frameworks, and updates regarding their five-year development plan.
A joint consultative meeting involving city officials, water service provider representatives, and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod will be scheduled once Baciwa submits its report. | TMD
