
El Nino phenomenon
THE ongoing El Nino phenomenon in the Philippines is set to become “strong” by the end of 2023 and may persist until the first half of 2024, according to the weather bureau.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said El Nino, likely to lead to below normal rainfall conditions, may cause dry spells or even drought in many parts of the country.
The phenomenon happens once every two to seven years. The last El Nino affected the Philippines during the last quarter of 2018 and lasted until the third quarter of the following year.
This year, El Nino – the natural climate phenomenon of warm temperature in the Pacific Ocean – started in June.
And scientists have warned that 2023 could see record heat as human-caused climate change, driven largely by the burning of fossil fuels, like coal and oil, warms the atmosphere.
Thus, we commend the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for identifying some 275,00 hectares of agricultural land as most vulnerable to the adverse impact of El Nino.
Central Luzon (CL) or Region III was listed as the most vulnerable area, with 85,000 hectares of agricultural land tagged as prone to the negative effects of the phenomenon.
Following CL are Soccsksargen (27,000 hectares), Ilocos Region (24,000), Mimaropa (17,000), Western Visayas (15,000), Central Visayas (14,000) and Zamboanga Peninsula (13,000).
NIA officer-in-charge Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector Josephine Salazar said these areas have been advised to plant high-value crops to mitigate the impact of El Nino.
As early as last June, NIA crafted an “El Nino action plan” which includes water delivery schedule and the use of early maturing and drought-resistant crop varieties.
Without doubt, the government, through concerned state offices and agencies, is doing a great job in addressing the problems posed by the El Nino phenomenon.