Ample water supply assured via SFRs in 3 drought-prone areas

(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO /NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — Farmers in nine municipalities across the country were assured of a sustainable water supply through small farm reservoirs (SFRs) amid the looming dry spell in 2024.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sunday said that the nine municipalities in three drought-prone provinces, will benefit from the completion of SFR projects.

 SFRs, the DSWD said, are alternative water sources with an area of 20 by 25 square meters and a maximum depth of 50 feet.

In a statement, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian explained that the SFRs will “ensure these provinces with sufficient water supply for their continuous production of agriculture, farming, and fishery products even with the effects of the looming drought in the country.”

“With the availability of sustainable water supply through the SFRs, communities are able to plant more fruit bearing trees, disaster resilient crops and vegetables, as well as implement aquaponics and aquaculture activities for their proper nourishments,” Gatchalian added.

Farmers and fisherfolk in the following pilot municipalities were to benefit from the alternative water sources: Alfonso Lista, and Hungduan in Ifugao; Sebaste, Barbaza, and Sibalom in Antique and Laak, Monkayo, and Compostela in Davao de Oro.

“The strategic locations were specifically targeted based on the severity of the expected impact of El Niño in these areas,” the DSWD stressed.

 It added that the construction of SFRs is part of the Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) project which extended cash assistance to local residents in exchange for their work in building these alternative water sources.

The DSWD said that it aims to implement Project LAWA nationwide.

Earlier this month, the Department of Science and Technology warned that 65 provinces in the country may experience drought by May 2024 due to the El Niño phenomenon.

The DOST, however, pointed out that some provinces are already feeling the impact of the El Nino phenomenon.

In response, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. revived the Task Force El Niño in anticipation of the looming dry spell. 

The task force is headed by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.