Ilocos Norte Prepares for Impending Dry Spell with Agricultural Support
Laoag, Philippines – In anticipation of an approaching dry spell, various stakeholders in Ilocos Norte are collaborating to mitigate its impact on the region’s farmers and fisherfolks. These preparations include enrolling affected individuals in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBA).
According to Philippines News Agency, Laoag City’s agricultural engineer, the local farming communities have received a range of agricultural support. This assistance includes early-maturing vegetable varieties, hybrid corn seeds, bio-fertilizers, tilapia fingerlings, fish feeds, and livestock, all aimed at sustaining livelihoods during the dry spell. In an interview on Wednesday, Opelac elaborated on the city government’s efforts, highlighting partnerships with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to provide skills training for alternative sources of income.
In the farming village of Saoit in Burgos town, officials have proactively set up a communal pressure tank, water pumps, and hoses for a mini water system. This initiative is a precautionary measure in case their main water source becomes depleted.
Marcel Tabije, head of the Provincial Resiliency Office, mentioned ongoing consultations with farmer associations to develop measures against the effects of El Niño. These discussions involve the Department of Agriculture, the Provincial Agriculture Office, the Sustainable Development Council, and the Ilocos Norte Water District. The focus is on creating a harmonized approach to conserve water and energy among other resources. Tabije also revealed plans for a provincial water summit to formulate an action plan addressing the abnormal weather conditions.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that El Niño typically increases the chances of below-normal rainfall, potentially leading to dry spells and droughts in parts of the country. PAGASA forecasts that this climatic phenomenon will persist until May this year, underscoring the urgency of these preparatory measures in Ilocos Norte.