Following the measures and hopes in the agricultural sector, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. assured that the government has been preparing for the upcoming looming effects of El Niño.
“Tayo rin ay naghahanda sa El Niño na nagbabadyang tumama sa mga darating na buwan. Nagsimula na tayong maghanda, at ang mga buffer stocks at ang mga kagamitang patubig ay inihahanda na,” Marcos stated in his speech during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).
According to the President, if necessary, the government will even do cloud-seeding to bring rain.
“Kung kinakailangan, magsasagawa pa tayo ng cloud-seeding upang makapagdala ng ula,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marcos urged the public in saving water for the huge preparation of the dry season.
“Kasabay ng lahat ng ito, hinihimok din natin ang ating sambayanan na magtipid ng tubig para sa malawakang paghahanda sa banta ng tagtuyot,” he noted.
PAGASA earlier warned that El Niño “increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions.”
This implies that there is a chance for dry spells and droughts in some parts of the Philippines, which might have an impact on "water resources, agriculture, energy, health, and public safety."
