Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 30) — Senator Win Gatchalian wants an inquiry into the government’s readiness to minimize the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, saying it will likely affect the country’s food production, energy supply, and economic security until early 2024.
Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution No. 691, prompted by the state weather bureau’s declaration of the onset of El Niño, a climate pattern that raises the chances of dry spells and droughts, and causes the erratic behavior of weather disturbances such as storms.
EXPLAINER: Bracing for the El Niño phenomenon
The senator said these will have socioeconomic impacts.Maaari din nitong pataasin ang presyo ng mga bilihin tulad ng pagkain, pati na ng kuryente,” Gatchalian said in a statement on Sunday.[Translation: It can also increase the price of goods such as food, as well as electricity.]The senator further warned that El Niño may affect the country’s inflation rate and exacerbate poverty levels, as it is expected to persist until the first quarter of 2024.
