Water shortage looms ahead of El Ni?o -NWRB

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Monday warned of a possible water supply shortage in the country ahead of the expected El Ni?o phenomenon.

In Ivan Mayrina’s report on “24 Oras”, the NWRB said the reduced rainfall caused by El Ni?o may result in lower dam water levels and reduced irrigation supply.

“Gusto po natin maipabatid sa mga kababayan natin, may sapat namang supply, pero ang sabi ng PAGASA may nagbabadyang El Nino… baka makaapekto sa water supply natin partikular na sakahan,” said NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David.

(We want to tell the public that we have enough supply but PAGASA warned there may be an El Ni?o. This will affect the supply, specifically in farmlands.)

Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed that during El Ni?o from 2018 to 2019, the total damage to agriculture reached at least P8 billion, with around 250,000 farmers affected, the report said. The total damage from droughts from 2012 to 2021 was also valued at over P34 billion.

The DA said it was readying for the possible effects of El Ni?o, adding the National Irrigation Authority may significantly help in curbing its impact through effective water management.

“Like ‘yung change of calendar, ‘yung ating mga pananim. Pangalawa, yung sa water management natin. Hindi naman natin sinasabing worst but pinakahuli nating consideration is the cloud seeding which is very expensive,” said DA Assistant Secretary Rex Estoperez.

(Like changing the calendar and the produce that we plant. The second is through water management. We’re not saying this is the worst, but our last consideration is the very expensive cloud seeding.)

“Even ‘yung potable water natin, may sinasabi tayo na magtipid tayo… Dapat walang leakages pagdating sa ating mga farms,” he said.

(Even in our potable water. We’re saying we should be frugal in our water use. There should also be no leakages in the farms.) — Sundy Mae Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News