Gov't task force told to prepare for La Niña

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday directed the government’s Task Force El Niño to start preparations for the possible onset of the La Niña phenomenon next month. 

“As El Niño diminishes in its intensity, we must now start preparing for the arrival of La Niña, which is expected to bring above normal rainfall in the country,” Teodoro, chairperson of the Task Force El Niño, said. 

“Let’s work to mitigate and minimize the damage it can cause to lives and properties. Let us do our best, as the task force has always been doing,” he added. 

State weather bureau PAGASA had said the country was now in the "weak El Niño" stage, and the weather phenomenon may end by June.

PAGASA also said the La Niña may develop during the June-July-August season.

Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama, Task Force El Niño spokesperson, said that despite the weakening of El Niño, the last few weeks of the month were still very critical in terms of water, energy, and food conservation.

“Even if we are at the tail end of El Niño before the climate pattern shifts to neutral conditions and eventually La Niña, the lingering effects of El Niño in the remaining days of this month will still have an impact on our limited resources,” he said. 

“We continue to enjoin everyone to be wise in using water, electricity, and even food until El Niño has been officially terminated and in preparation for La Niña,” Villarama added. 

The El Niño phenomenon is characterized by the abnormal warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and below-normal rainfall.

In May 2023, PAGASA issued an El Niño Alert after forecasts showed that the phenomenon may emerge in the next three months at 80% probability and may last until the first quarter of next year.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called for the creation of a team that would focus on mitigating the effects of the  El Niño phenomenon. — DVM, GMA Integrated News