The public should still prepare for the imminent effects of El Niño despite rains brought by Typhoon Lando.
According to officials of National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) said conservation measures need to be in place because the El Niño event is expected to last until June 2016.
NWRB Executive Director Dr. Sevillo D. David, Jr. said Typhoon Lando increased the water level at Angat Dam by eight (8) meters, but this will last for only a month.
Because of this the NWRB has allocated 38 cubic meters per second for domestic use, slightly lower than the regular supply of 44-43 cubic meter per second.
David said the government, the private sector and the public should work hand-in-hand in raising awareness on water conservation and proper use of the water.
Measures are also in place to aid the agriculture sector which is considered as the most vulnerable sector to El Niño, according to Engineer Henry Cacayan, OIC of the Water Resources and Management Division under the DA.
The department encourages the farmers to recycle bio-mass for use as fertilizer, and which will also enhance the water holding capacity of the soil.
Cacayan said the DA discourages overstocking of fishes and feeds in fish cages because it reduces oxygen in the water that may cause fish kill.
El Niño is the unusual warming in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (CEEP) that has negative effects in the agriculture and fishery production, natural resources and38 environment, human health, and incidence or outbreak of plant, animal and human diseases.
The 2015-2016 El Niño phenomenon may last until the April-May-June season and is considered to be among the four strongest since 1950 (1972-1973, 1982-1983 and 1997-1998.)
David and Cacayan were guests yesterday during the Kapihan sa Media ng Bayan. The Kapihan airs live every Friday over 738 AM DZRB Radyo ng Bayan 10 am to 11am, and telecast over PTV4 at 7pm to 8pm, and IBC 13 from 10.30 pm to 11.30 pm on the same day. (Andrea Lynn Reposo-Media ng Bayan) #ElNinoph