Lanao Norte town fights El Niño with P30-M solar power facility

KAUSWAGAN, Lanao del  Norte – Kauswagan, once a war-torn town in Lanao del Norte, is gearing up for the impact of the “super” El Niño with a P30-million solar power facility, set to run in the next few weeks.

Vice Mayor Rommel Arnado said they have intensified preparations for the projected super El Niño expected to hit the country late in 2026 and to persist until early 2027.

He said the town’s preparations include cushioning impacts of a severe drought on local government operations, agriculture, food security, and water supplies, among others.

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READ: Fuel aid, solar irrigation rolled out across PHAt the sidelines of the joint State of Municipal Address and State of Municipal Legislative Address here on Monday, Arnado told reporters that their multi-million solar-powered facilities are expected to run “by the end of October.”

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The local government unit has installed solar panels to power its municipal hall, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, the Bureau of Fire Protection,  the Municipal Health Office, the municipal gymnasium, the soon-to-be completed Kauswagan Diagnostic  Center, and the Kauswagan International Organic Convention Center in Barangay Tacub.

“We have prepared the people, especially our farmers, to be resilient to face the challenges of the El Niño phenomenon, Arnado said, stressing the town’s push for sustainable organic food production.

He said the municipality has also constructed a 40,000 cubic meter underground water reservoir that could help provide the needs of the town’s agriculture and households.

READ: El Niño threat triggers race to save power, water in provinces

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For next year, Arnado said the local government had approved the construction of six groundwater pumping stations costing P20 million.

Kauswagan played a major historical role in the conflict between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The 2000 all-out-war declaration of then President Joseph Estrada was triggered by the occupation of the Kauswagan municipal hall and town center by MILF fighters headed by Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo.

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In the 2008 war, Macapaar also led the attack in Kauswagan town after the Supreme Court declared the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the government and the MILF unconstitutional.

Macapaar, now a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, attended the joint State of Municipal Address and State of the Legislative Address of Kauswagan on Monday.

READ: Habagat, El Niño may hit farm output despite ample supply

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Also in attendance were Brig. Gen. Bernardo Taqueban, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Lt. Col. Jeremy Damonsong, commander of the 44th Infantry Battalion, and other municipal and barangay officials./coa