By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the reactivation of Task Force El Niño through an executive order (EO), the Palace announced Monday.
Under EO No. 53, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Jan. 19, the task force is reconstituted to ensure the country’s readiness to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon by ramping up community resilience and securing access to sufficient water and food supply.
The President, through the EO, said “the recurrence of the El Niño phenomenon calls for the implementation of both short and long-term solutions to ensure food, water, and energy security, safeguard livelihoods, and improve the country’s disaster and climate resilience.”
The task force is directed to update the Strategic El Niño National Action Plan and monitor the status of short and long-term solutions and programs identified in the said action plan.
It will also coordinate with all concerned agencies in expediting the completion of all ongoing water infrastructure projects by April 2024 and lead an information campaign with the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
A monthly report regarding the implementation of the EO will also be submitted to the chief executive through the Office of the Executive Secretary.
In coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the task force is also mandated to establish an online platform containing data, research, and information including interactive maps and visualizations concerning El Niño as well as programs related to the phenomenon.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. will chair the task force while DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. will serve as co-chairperson.
Other members of the task force include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
The EO added that the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) will also provide administrative and technical support to the task force. – avds
