By Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – The provincial government of Camarines Sur ordered on Monday anticipatory response to the projected intensification of El Niño, directing concerned offices to identify water shortages and agricultural risks before dry conditions affect communities and farmers.
Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. directed a 30-day mobilization program to assess vulnerable water sources, prepare alternative supplies, and determine which agricultural areas may require adjustments in planting and irrigation.
The order aims to complete the initial mapping of water and agricultural risks by Nov. 15, providing the provincial government with data to guide interventions ahead of a potentially very strong El Niño that could persist through the first half of 2027.
As part of the early response, the province activated the Camarines Sur Water and El Niño Command Center to coordinate risk monitoring, data analysis, early warning and operational planning among provincial offices, local government units and concerned national agencies.
Within 30 days, the provincial government aims to identify villages most vulnerable to potable water shortages, estimate households that may be affected, assess the reliability of existing water sources, and determine where emergency supplies could be obtained and distributed if normal services fail.
The assessment will also cover agricultural areas facing irrigation or soil-moisture deficits, the amount of dependable water available for farming and the interventions needed in high-risk locations.
The order directs concerned offices to develop a province-wide water security map and classify communities according to their level of risk, from areas with generally sufficient supplies to those facing actual or imminent water supply failure.
For areas at high risk, the provincial government will identify possible emergency measures, including alternative water sources, storage facilities, mobile water treatment and tanker deliveries.
Proposed groundwater systems and other infrastructure will be subject to technical assessments and applicable regulatory requirements.
The results will guide recommendations on planting schedules, crop varieties, irrigation methods and the areas that can safely proceed with planned cropping.
An accelerated assessment of irrigation reservoirs, canals, pumps, farm reservoirs and solar-powered irrigation systems will be conducted to identify facilities requiring repair or rehabilitation before peak dry conditions.
Under the prescribed timeline, the command center must identify priority water-vulnerable barangays, agricultural drought clusters, emergency water hubs and irrigation rehabilitation needs.
The order prioritizes drinking, cooking, sanitation and essential household needs during severe water shortages; followed by health facilities, schools and other critical public facilities; livestock and food-security requirements; and other uses in accordance with applicable laws.
