Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 13) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he ordered concerned government agencies to fast-track the construction of water facilities to soften the impact of El Niño on agriculture and other sectors.
The chief executive said the Department of Agriculture and the National Irrigation Administration should ensure that ongoing water projects will be finished by “April of next year.”
Marcos made this call during two separate events on Wednesday, where he led the inauguration of an irrigation facility in Nueva Ecija, and the turnover of wheeled excavators in Zambales.
“Pag-umpisa na siguro ng Enero baka hindi na masyadong uulan, kaya kailangan natin gawin ang lahat ng kaya natin para tayo ay makapag-handa sa tag-tuyot na baka umabot ng second quarter,” he said in his speech.
[Translation: Probably by January, maybe it won’t rain much, so we have to do everything we can to prepare for the dry season that might even reach the second quarter.]
“We must be prepared to address the effects of El Niño,” he said, adding the impact may even be felt in the power and health sectors.
On Tuesday, Marcos ordered the creation of a task force on El Niño to be led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
READ: Gov’t updates action plan on El Niño as drought in 65 provinces looms next year
According to the Department of Science and Technology, 65 provinces or 77% of provinces in the country may experience drought by the end of May.
Marcos urged the public to conserve water and energy.
