“Rain-fed” farms are already feeling the effects of El Niño, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) in a public briefing on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. (File photo by TONEE DESPOJO / Cebu Daily News)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Monday that “rain-fed” farms are already feeling the effects of El Niño and suggested that impacts may worsen as it expects drought to intensify this month through March.
While there is enough water in irrigated farms which source their supply from dams, water is starting to become scarce in some areas.
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The government, nevertheless, gave assurance that it has been preparing to cushion the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, which is forecast to last until June.
“Iyong epekto ng El Niño, gaya ng inaasahan, medyo kinakapos na iyong tubig doon sa mga rain-fed areas dahil nga sa El Niño at inaasahan natin na medyo titindi pa ito ngayong Pebrero at Marso,” said DA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.
(The effect of El Niño, as expected, water is a little scarce in the rain-fed areas because of El Niño and we expect it to be a little more intense this February and March.)
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He said they are also expecting the drought to wane by April.
He added that irrigated farms in Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos, and Cagayan Valley so far have ample water supply and that the Angat Dam and Pantabangan Dam currently hold enough water.