By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to intensify efforts to ensure food, water, and energy security amid the El Niño phenomenon, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Marcos convened key government agencies at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday to discuss interventions to mitigate El Niño’s effects, particularly in the hardest-hit communities.
During a Palace press briefing on Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos directed agencies to adopt a proactive, timely, and whole-of-government approach to address the weather phenomenon’s potential impacts.
“Mas pinaigting at palakasin ang lahat ng mga ginagawa ng pamahalaan laban sa El Niño. Ito ang kautusan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa lahat ng ahensiya ng pamahalaan na nakatutok upang maibsan ang epekto ng tagtuyot sa bansa (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered all government agencies focused on mitigating the effects of drought in the country to intensify and strengthen all government efforts to address El Niño),” Castro said.
During the meeting, Marcos emphasized the need to prioritize food security, public health, water conservation and security, energy security, and a stronger public information campaign.
Food security, support for farmers
Castro assured the public of adequate food supplies, citing stocks sufficient for 75 days for rice, 170 days for pork, and 125 days for chicken.
She said the government would import additional supplies, if necessary, to maintain adequate food availability.
“Sinisiguro rin ng pamahalaan ang sapat na suplay ng bigas at iba pang pangunahing pagkain sa pamamagitan ng paghahanda ng reserbang suplay at pag-aangkat kung kinakailangan (The government is also ensuring an adequate supply of rice and other basic commodities by preparing reserve stocks and importing supplies when necessary),” Castro said.
Financial assistance, temporary employment, and training will also be provided to farmers affected by drought to help sustain their livelihoods, she added.
Water security measures
Castro said the government would augment water supplies through cloud seeding, proper dam management, water treatment plant construction, water tanker deployment, and the reactivation of 61 decommissioned deep wells in Metro Manila.
About 134 stationary water tanks and 182 mobile water tankers are ready for immediate deployment to communities experiencing water shortages, she said.
New projects, including the Kaysakat Water Treatment Plant at Upper Wawa Dam, are also expected to boost Metro Manila’s water supply.
The Kaysakat Water Treatment Plant, scheduled for completion in November, is expected to provide an additional 160 million liters of water per day, Castro said.
“Sa kabuuan ay may inaasahang 440 million liters per day ng tubig bago matapos ang taon (Overall, 440 million liters of water per day is expected to become available before year-end),” she said.
The government is also promoting water collection and the responsible use of water in households and communities, Castro added.
Health and safety
Castro said the government would ensure that hospitals and other health facilities have adequate supplies of electricity, water, medicines, and medical equipment.
To prepare for a possible rise in dengue and heatstroke cases during periods of extreme heat, village health workers will conduct house-to-house visits to check on residents, particularly senior citizens and people with existing illnesses.
The Department of Health will also conduct bloodletting activities in preparation for a potential increase in dengue cases, she said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology will provide two-day heat index forecasts to help the public prepare for extreme temperatures, while the Department of Labor and Employment will issue advisories to protect workers, including delivery riders, from extreme heat.
Energy security
Castro said the Department of Energy is closely monitoring the effects of El Niño on electricity supply and demand.
She noted that extreme heat could trigger red alerts in the power sector, particularly in the Visayas.
An additional 253 megawatts from battery energy storage systems and 218 megawatts from power barges would be available as backup electricity supply to help address potential shortages, she said.
Projects expected to add 1,500 megawatts to the country’s electricity supply are also being fast-tracked, Castro added.
The government will likewise implement the “Oras Natin” energy-efficiency campaign to encourage responsible electricity consumption.
“May sapat na supply ng langis sa buong bansa. Patuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa iba’t ibang bansa upang matiyak ang karagdagang supply ng petrolyo (The country has an adequate supply of fuel. The government continues to coordinate with other countries to secure additional petroleum supplies when needed),” Castro said.
“Hinihikayat natin ang tulong ng lahat, kasama na ang pribadong sektor, upang sama-sama nating malampasan ang hamon ng El Niño (We are calling on everyone, including the private sector, to work together so that we can overcome the challenges posed by El Niño).” (PNA)
