Negros Occ. braces for long El Niño

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  • GILBERT BAYORAN

Bracing for the El Niño phenomenon, which, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is likely to start in the second half of this year, the provincial government of Negros Occidental has started to implement mitigating measures, to cushion its impact to Negrenses.

Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, on Tuesday, March 28, said they continue to work with the USAID and its partners, as well as the academe, on reforestation projects to provide adequate water supply for irrigation.

Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz

Southern Negros, observed to be the hardest hit during the dry season, is also closely monitored by the provincial government.

Diaz said the local government unit of Cauayan has shown interest to join them in applying for a Special Use Agreement in Protected Areas (SAPA) to properly manage the reforestation project for 25 years.

He also said that they have two SAPA applications in northern Negros to protect existing watershed areas.

According to PAGASA, El Niño will likely develop during the July-August-September season and may persist until 2024.

PAGASA warned that El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could cause dry spells and droughts in some areas of the country.

Diaz also announced that the feasibility study on the proposed construction of a bulk water project by the provincial government is expected to be completed next month, so that local government units that will subscribe to it will have ample water supply.

The Capitol bulk water project is tapping the surface water of two major rivers in the 3rd District of Negros Occidental.

Diaz also reported that the province’s reforestation projects in areas covered by the Northern Negros Natural Park are in place and that the survival rate of planted trees is good.

“We are always at the mercy of nature, that is why we have to work with nature,” he stressed./GB

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