By Leilanie Adriano/PNA
LAOAG CITY — Residents in the province of Ilocos Norte are reminded to save water amid the growing concern about the looming water scarcity caused by El Niño and climate change.
“Water is life and everybody has to do its part to use water wisely,” Ilocos Norte Water District manager Engr. John Teodoro said in a water summit held at the Centennial Arena Friday.
Around 250 participants composed of farmers, policy makers, academicians, disaster risk reduction and management officers, and water resource management experts, participated in the formulation of a strategic plan to address environmental issues, particularly the lingering effect of El Niño, during the summit organized by the provincial government.
Provincial Board member Domingo Ambrocio Jr., chairperson of the committee on agriculture, said the only way to beat climate change “is to be prepared and open for change in order to develop resiliency”.
Farmers have raised the alarm of irrigation systems drying up.
At the end of the workshop, the Ilocos Norte government distributed water pumps and sprayers to farmers’ organizations who attended the summit.
During the summit, speakers in various fields gave lectures on climate change issues and concerns, environmental protection, water management and conservation, good agricultural practices, planting of early maturing and drought resistant crops, ecological solid waste management, and updates on support facilities such as water impounding dams and water harvester, among others.
