MANILA, Philippines — Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib on Thursday said the province is preparing measures to lessen the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.
In the Laging Handa Public Briefing, Jubahib said technical working groups have been formed to ensure stable water supply and agricultural contingencies during the phenomenon.
“Nag-conduct na po tayo ng mga shallow tube well na ginagawa natin; nag-drilling po tayo sa lahat ng mga barangays na nakitaan natin na may water source. Ground water source po itong ginagawa natin para po preparation natin sa upcoming El Niño,” said Jubahib.
(We conducted a shallow tube well, which we are still doing; we drilled in all barangays where we have seen water sources. Ground water source is what we are doing to prepare for the upcoming El Niño.)
In preparation for possible dry spells, the governor said that they are readying their dams and catch-basin projects for sustained water-management.
The province has purchased delivery trucks and reconditioned existing fire trucks for possible use, added Jubahib.
With Davao del Norte relying heavily on the agriculture sector, Jubahib said that they are also exploring crops that can be be grown amid the effects of the El Nino.
The province, however, continues to face unpredicted rotational brownouts, particularly in District 1 and the Island Garden City of Samal.
“We are really facing a problem with brownouts here in the province of Davao del Norte,” Jubahib said in Filipino — Kirsten Segui, Inquirer.net trainee