Laoag City (CNN Philippines) — Because of the worsening effects of El Niño, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte is seriously pushing for the regulation of water drilling in the province.
On Tuesday (April 26), members of the Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUC), proposed that legislative actions must be taken immediately to regulate the frequency and spacing between drilling.
Many farm lands in the province are merely rain-fed due to the lack of irrigation facilities. Thus, farmers conduct drilling for additional water supply.
According to provincial agriculturist Norma Lagmay, water drilling contribute to the rapid drying up of the water basin.
“If we don’t regulate drillings, our farm lands will surely suffer,” Lagmay said.
Last year, giant cracks were discovered in some farms in Batac City which were allegedly caused by excessive drilling.
