Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 9) — The El Niño phenomenon is unlikely to have “significant” impact on inflation this year, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said the “brunt” of El Niño is “expected to happen by the beginning of 2024” so the preparations must already be started.
“So, again ngayong taon na ito hindi namin nakikita iyon (We don’t see the adverse effects to happen this year yet). Kung (If it is the) impact for next year, that really depends on how we’re able to prepare this year,” she was quoted as saying in a Palace statement.
Edillon also assured the public that the government is implementing measures to mitigate the negative effects of long dry spells, citing the reduction of water allocation for irrigation from Angat Dam in favor of residential use.
“The planting season has already concluded, eliminating the need for irrigation water at this point,” she said.
The National Water Resources Board earlier said it will reduce the allocation for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the National Irrigation Administration to 48 cubic meters per second (CMS) and to 20 CMS, respectively, until the end of July if the water level in Angat Dam falls below its minimum operating level of 180 meters.
READ: Angat Dam water level now below 180 meters; NCR water allocation cut takes effect
Angat Dam’s water level dropped to 179.99 meters early Saturday morning. After 24 hours, it further dipped to 179.56 meters.
Edillon also said the government must take advantage of frequent rainfall and accelerate the completion of small impounding water projects to help ease effects of El Niño.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on July 4 announced the start of a “weak” El Niño on the Pacific Ocean. The weather bureau warned that the phenomenon could cause dry spells and droughts in the country in the last quarter of 2023 and the first half of 2024.
National Statistician Dennis Mapa said during a briefing on inflation that if the agriculture sector suffers from El Niño, it would definitely affect prices.
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In May, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the El Niño this year will “not deeply” hurt the Philippine economy as agriculture only accounts for “roughly 10% of the national income.”
