With discussions having centered around the infrastructure sector, ensuring its resilience and water security.
On Wednesday, September 9, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the 8th meeting of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), where he was joined by various government officials and private-sector experts.
“Kabilang sa mga paksa sa nasabing PSAC meeting ang structural resilience and building safety; quality and safety of imported cement; disaster resilience and flood management; at water security and infrastructure resilience,” disclosed Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.
She also noted that through the collaboration between both sectors, they expect that the infrastructure in the country will he resilient by using high-quality materials.
Other goals discussed include mitigating flooding in communities near Laguna de Bay and southern Metro Manila and improving the Philippines’ water security.
Climate resilience was also emphasized, which can be achieved through appropriate responses to climate-related water risks, and speeding up the development of water infrastructure projects.
The Chief Executive was also said to have directed the Department of Public Works and Highways to ensure the quality of building construction standards and structural resilience of buildings during disasters.
The agency was also directed to update the master plans for major river basins, review and revisit the construction of a spillway in Parañaque City, and expedite the completion of water supply projects in areas severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
As regards to the possible effects of the El Niño phenomenon, the Malacañan Palace first said that while it is a natural phenomenon, they consider its impact to also be driven by the changing climate.
“Alam naman natin na ang El Niño ay isang natural phenomenon, but sa nararamdaman natin na climate change, kailangan din nating pag-aralan kung ano ang maaari pang maging maidulot ng El Niño,” Castro said, adding that climate change could intensify the effects normally associated with El Niño, including prolonged dry conditions, extreme heat, and water shortages.
For its part, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has activated its El Niño Task Force to strengthen the government’s response and ensure the continued monitoring of El Niño conditions.
According to Castro, Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel has stressed the importance of preparedness. “Iba po kasi ang klima na nararamdaman natin. Merong malakas na pagbugso ng ulan, meron namang tagtuyot,” she said.
The Palace official noted that while Metro Manila may experience rainfall, parts of the Visayas and Mindanao could also simultaneously experience dry conditions. Thus requiring different interventions for each area.
“Kailangan po talaga ng paghahanda. Ito po ay mino-monitor—patuloy na monitoring ng El Niño conditions at ang pagprotekta lalo na sa ating mga magsasaka at sa ating mga agricultural products na talagang maaapektuhan ng El Niño,” Castro stated.
The government is also strengthening the management of irrigation and water resources, with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) preparing farmers for possible changes in water availability and providing guidance on agricultural practices suited to varying weather conditions.
Government agencies are also working with farmers on appropriate planting and harvesting schedules to minimize losses caused by heavy rains, storms, drought, and other extreme weather conditions, Castro furthered.
She added that farmers should also consider crops that can be planted during the rainy season as part of broader efforts to maintain agricultural production despite changing weather patterns.
Castro said the President himself has emphasized that weather patterns today may be different from those experienced in the past.
“Marahil ang mga ulan noon, 10 years ago, ay hindi kasinglakas ng ulan ngayon. Kaya ito yung isa sa focus ng Pangulo—para makapag-prepara po tayong lahat,” Castro said.
Meanwhile, the government continues to coordinate with the Climate Change Commission, the DA, NIA, and other concerned agencies to ensure that preparedness measures are based on scientific information.
“Lahat po ng gagawin natin ay according na rin po sa science para tugma po sa mga hinaharap natin sa ganitong klaseng klima, ” assured the Palace Press Officer.
