Dried up rice fields in San Miguel, Bulacan due to the presence of a strong El Nino in the Philippines, in this photo taken on February 26, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The government's El Niño task force on Tuesday urged local government units to anticipate the dire effects of the phenomenon on communities, even if water, food and energy are sufficient for now.

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Looking at the impacts of the climate phenomenon will allow officials to plan and act on these effects should they actually happen, Task Force El Niño spokesperson Joey Villarama said at the sidelines of the Climate Forum of state weather bureau PAGASA.

“Kasi at anytime, at any point lalo na kung ma-experience yung tindi ng epekto ng El Niño, pwedeng bumaba ang mga level na ito. In particular ang mga water level sa mga dam, ngyaon sapat pa pero anytime dahil sa init na hindi natin mape-predict, pwedeng bumaba talaga,” he said.

Rice farmers of Looc seek rice after El Niño destroys crops

“Hinihiling namin ang tulong ng grassroots level ng LGU kasi sila ang nakakakita ng actual impact not just on agriculture but on the daily lives ng mga tao,” Villarama added.

Based on data from PAGASA, all dams being monitored have logged a decline in water level. The San Roque, Binga, Pantabangan dams have seen the highest decline ranging between 0.30 to 0.42 meters. 

Fortunately, while the dams' levels have now fallen below the normal high water level, PAGASA said these are all still within the range of rule curve elevation. This means the dams are still capable of supplying water according to demands.

As of February 25, a total of 51 areas in the Philippines are now experiencing dry conditions, dry spells and drought. This figure has gradually increased since November 2023.

PAGASA earlier said that it sees almost the entire country falling under such conditions.

While a significant portion of the Luzon and Visayas received below normal or way below rainfall this month, this is expected to spread to Mindanao by March and April. 

Percentage of rainfall is forecast to return to normal levels especially in the eastern section of the country come May, June and July. This is also the time when the El Niño Southern Oscillation reverts to neutral.

EL NIÑO EFFECTS

Rice grain yield dries up, becoming inedible, due to heat and lack of water in Barangay Sapang Putik, San Ildefonso, Bulacan on January 15, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File.

Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum explained that while the effects of El Niño such as low water levels and sweltering heat cannot be avoided, their effects can.

Tips para mapaghandaan ang epekto ng El Niño

“Base doon titingnan ng barangay ano ang magiging epekto ng kakulangan ng ulan sa kanilang water supply. Kung kulang ang tubig, dapat magtpid. Mas maganda hindi waldas sa pag gamit ng kuyente, kasi baka mas may kailangan ng kuryente. Sa sakahan, dapat ang LGU initindihin ang kalagayan ng mga magsasaska para ma-coordinate sa DSWD or DA,” Solidum said.

He stressed, however, that the effects of the climate phenomenon are not on food security alone—El Niño can also greatly impact one’s health.

Excessive heat can lead to heat stresses and stroke and weak water pressure can also be a precursor to a myriad of diseases, the Science chief said.

Based on actions of different agencies and groups, Solidum said preparations for the effects of El Niño are much higher now compared to previous El Niño years.

An advocate of early preparation and disaster resilience, the science chief attributed the country’s preparedness to early warning and science communication with the public.

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