By Priam Nepomuceno/PNA
MANILA — Production losses from the El Niño has reached PHP464.3 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Technical Working Group revealed.
In a meeting held Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture placed the volume loss at 22,918 metric tons, as of March 8.
The number of affected areas totaled 13,679 hectares, affecting 16,034 farmers in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad presided over the meeting, which was held to mitigate the impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon in the country.
“NDRRMC member-agencies shall submit their respective Action Plans in regard to the impact of the El Niño, to the OCD (Office of Civil Defense) by 15 March 2019. These will be consolidated and presented at the NDRRMC Full Council Meeting on 20 March 2019. (In the) meantime, everyone is encouraged to remain calm, avoid water wastage, and always practice sustainable water management in their respective homes,” Jalad said.
Aside from Jalad, also present were Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Ricardo Solidum, and representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – National Water Resource Board, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the departments of social welfare, agriculture, education, energy, and interior, National Economic and Development Authority, National Power Corp., National Electrification Authority, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Local Water Utilities Administration, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Commission on Elections, and OCD.
Private groups, such as Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, as well as water concessionaires, Maynilad and Manila Water, were also in attendance.
OCD’s offices in Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Mimaropa also participated through teleconference.