Eastern Samar steps up measures as El Niño looms
TACLOBAN CITY—The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Eastern Samar has stepped up preparedness measures and inter-agency coordination in anticipation of a possible El Niño event, as climate agencies warn of an increasing likelihood of its development in the coming months.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed Eastern Samar under El Niño alert status, citing model forecasts showing an 82 percent chance of development from May to July and a 92 percent chance from June to August.
READ: PNP ramps up water conservation as El Niño threatens supply
The weather agency has earlier said that ENSO-neutral conditions currently prevail over the tropical Pacific, where Eastern Samar is located on the eastern side of the Philippines, directly facing the open waters of the Pacific Ocean.
ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) -neutral refers to a climate phase where neither El Niño (warming of sea surface temperatures) nor La Niña (cooling phase) is present, resulting in generally near-average weather patterns.
Despite this, Pagasa said there is a high probability that El Niño conditions may develop between May and August and potentially persist until early 2027.
The agency added that while a drier-than-normal pattern may emerge once El Niño develops, tropical cyclones can still form and affect the country during the same period.
A key recommendation during the meeting, held last June 9, was the creation of a Provincial El Niño Task Force that will consolidate all agency action plans and submit a unified preparedness strategy for regional implementation.
During the meeting, the Provincial Health Office stressed the importance of water conservation and warned of a possible increase in waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea, during extended dry conditions.
The Bureau of Fire Protection reported that 25 fire stations are currently operational in the province. However, the municipalities of Mercedes and Maydolong remain without fire stations, posing gaps in emergency response coverage.
According to the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services, about 4,000 hectares of rice lands are covered by irrigation systems and preparedness measures to reduce potential agricultural losses.
The Provincial Veterinary Office also outlined contingency plans to protect livestock and address animal health concerns during the dry spell.
READ: PH livestock sector faces ₱9.9B losses from Super El Niño
Other agencies, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), 502nd Community Defense Center, and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), presented their respective preparedness and response strategies.
The PNP said it will deploy monitoring teams to help track conditions and support province-wide preparedness efforts.
Officials also discussed Eastern Samar’s renewable energy roadmap, which aims to strengthen sustainable energy development and improve resilience to climate-related risks and future energy demands./coa
