After El Niño, gov't braces for 'stronger' La Niña

A government task force mandated to address the El Niño phenomenon is now preparing for transition as the Philippines braces for the looming La Niña, Ivan Mayrina reported Friday on “24 Oras."

Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama, spokesperson of Task Force El Niño, said they will convert to Task Force La Niña by the beginning of the weather phenomenon, which PAGASA expects to occur by August. 

“Obviously, we want less people -- farmers, fisherfolks -- to be affected. But again, as I said because of mitigation efforts and the interventions, kahit papano ay naibsan naman ang epekto ng El Niño sa ating bansa,” said Villarama. 

(Obviously, we want less people -- farmers, fisherfolks -- to be affected. But again, as I said because of mitigation efforts and the interventions have eased the impact of El Niño.)

“Mas pinangangambahan, particularly ng Department of Agriculture (DA) ang La Niña kasi kapag bumuhos na ang malakas na ulan at bumaha na sa ating agricultural lands, medyo mahirap na irecover ang pinsalang dulot ng pagbabaha,” he added. 

(The Department of Agriculture (DA) is concerned on the effect of  La Niña in the agricultural lands.)

State weather bureau PAGASA officially declared the end of the El Niño phenomenon earlier. However, the agency warned La Niña may begin by August and continue until the last three months of the year. 

“Ang nakikita natin possible maging dominant category natin ang La Niña by August-September-October,” said PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief Ana Solis. 

(We expect La Niña to reach dominant category by August-September-October.)

“Meaning, base sa forecast ng PAGASA, inaasahan natin na mas mataas 'yung probability na mas marami tayong ulan by October-November-December kung saan ito 'yung kasagsagan ng Amihan season,” Solis said. 

(Based on our  PAGASA, there’s a high possibility of heavy rainfall furing October-November-December due to the coincidence with the peak of the Amihan season.)

 La Niña phenomenon is associated with above-normal rainfall conditions.

For its part, the DA proposed ways to lessen the impact of La Niña to the agriculture sector.

“Kailangan ayusin natin ang water management interventions. 'Yung mga main at tsaka lateral canals ng ating irrigation, kailangan masigurado na maayos itong mga system na ito para pag dumating 'yung La Niña, masigurado natin na 'yung excess water ay mailalabas,” said DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa. 

(We need to fix the water management interventions, including the main and lateral canals of our irrigation system.) —Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News