Specifically concerning food, water supply, and energy.
According to Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, October 13, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reconvened key government agencies to focus on ways to mitigate the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, which is being warned to be a “strong” episode by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted that among those present at the meeting were the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
During which, measures for the agricultural sector were primarily discussed.
She said that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), along with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System MWSS), and Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), focused on effective measures for water management and irrigation.
As for the Department of Energy (DOE) focused on energy and fuel supply, while the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), together with its attached agencies, are monitoring the dissemination of accurate information on the drought.
Castro also assured that the government is on top of the situation, prepared, and keeping a close watch on the weather phenomenon. She also noted that the government is focused on ensuring the preparedness of hospitals, dams, and farms.
She also emphasized that the President is taking seriously what is already happening and what will happen in the coming months.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY
The Palace Press Officer also said that the discussion, message, suggestion, and lesson provided by the government and the President must be taken seriously.
Meanwhile, she also encouraged the public’s cooperation, noting that the President has also urged the public to conserve water and collect rainwater in preparation for the potential effects of El Niño.
Castro said the President’s advice to collect rainwater using buckets is a practical measure to help households prepare for potential water shortages.
She added that Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian will produce an instructional video demonstrating how to filter collected rainwater for appropriate use.
Castro urged the public to take the government’s preparations seriously and remain open to practical solutions.
FOOD SUPPLIES
Meanwhile, last Sunday, October 11, the President said that thet working to ensure that there is enough supply of different food items, including rice, pork, beef and chicken, amid the threat of a strong El Niño.
“Siyempre, we’ll produce as much as we possibly can. Pero mabuti na ‘yung sigurado…Hindi mangyayari na maubusan tayo… Alam mo naman sa atin ‘pag sinabing food supply, bigas ‘yan. Ang ibig sabihin rice is food – is rice is food is rice. Well, hindi lang sa Pilipinas, and all of Asia. So, ‘yan ang tinitiyak natin,” he said.
He added, “I asked about pork products, about beef, about chicken. Again, the supplies are sufficient.”
Currently, he said there is an oversupply of chickens, leading to lower prices. Regarding pork, production remains “okay.”
“In terms naman of pork, maayos naman. Ang production natin is okay. So food supply is assured. The only thing that will be hard hit will be vegetables kasi walang tubig. Tuyot lahat,” the Chief Executive noted.
Although, he acknowledged that drought could severely affect vegetable production in key growing regions, thus urging the public to grow vegetables in their backyards to help augment food supplies and cushion the impact.
“So sabi ko, balikan natin ‘yung Green Revolution. Let’s encourage everybody. Naka-Green Revolution na tayo noon, a long time ago. Tapos noong pandemic, nabuhay ‘yung “plantita.” Ituloy na natin ‘yun,” said the President.
“Let’s just keep that going. Get everybody to plant their own vegetables. Kaya naman kung – that will help again. It won’t solve the entire problem, but it will help.”
