By Arabella Asis
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is working to create a convergence effort together with other agencies to prepare for the impending effects of El Niño.
At the Laging Handa public briefing on Monday, April 24, NIA Acting Administrator Engr. Eduardo Guillen shared that the agency is pushing to build more high dams.
“Kaya nga po meron tayong mga high damss para sa mga susunod na panahon po ay hindi na tayo mamomroblema,” Guillen said.
Kung may la nina man tayo, at least pag may mga high dams tayo nami- mitigate po natin yung flooding. At the same time nakakapag ipon po tayo ng maraming tubig para po magamit natin sa ating irigasyon,” he added.
Additionally, high dams can be an energy source through hydropower and a livelihood source of aquaculture.
Guillen also relayed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. requested convergence efforts within various agencies.
The Department of Public Works and Highways will help in building water management projects while the Department of Social Welfare Development and Department of Labor Employment are tasked to give job opportunities to the severely affected farmers.
“Hindi lang dapat yung output ang pagtuunan natin ng pansin kundi dapat yung income ng farmer per income yung higit na titingnan natin para maiangat daw natin ang kabuhay ng ating mga farmers,” Guillen recalled the President’s request.
Based on the data of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, some parts of Luzon and Visayas will be affected by El Niño as opposed to Mindanao.
The NIA Administrator calls for further cooperation between the government and the farmers to mitigate the effects of El Niño in the coming months. – gb
