South Cotabato braces for El Niño occurrence

KORONADAL CITY — South Cotabato has stepped up preparations for a possible strong El Niño event, with disaster officials keeping funds, water facilities and relief supplies ready as the prolonged heat and dry conditions threaten farms, livestock and public health.

Rolly Doane Aquino, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief, said the province remains under an El Niño Alert based on information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Aquino said South Cotabato “has not yet reached El Niño conditions,” but authorities are preparing in case the current heat and dry weather worsen.

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“As of now, all preparedness measures are being undertaken by our department,” Aquino said.

Aquino said he had seen signs of dry conditions affecting corn and rice farms in parts of Banga and Surallah towns during his trips around the province.

He stressed that these were his observations and have yet to be backed by official data. The PDRRMO has yet to receive official report of farms being affected by the dry conditions.

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“We are monitoring the agriculture sector, the health sector and, of course, our livestock that could be affected,” Aquino said.

He urged farmers to closely monitor weather forecasts and advisories from irrigation authorities as dry conditions persist.

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Aquino said the province’s El Niño Task Force is already in place, bringing together the PDRRMO, Integrated Provincial Health Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, Bureau of Fire Protection and other concerned agencies.

He said resources are also available should the province need to respond to worsening conditions.

Part of the province’s Quick Response Fund remains available, along with other disaster funds that may be tapped for preparedness and response, Aquino said.

Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., who chairs the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, has also directed officials to ensure that water impounding facilities are ready and relief supplies remain available in provincial warehouses, according to Aquino.

Fuel is also being secured for water pumps that may be needed if water supplies become affected.

Aquino said authorities are closely watching the effects of high temperatures on residents and have advised the public to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun, stay hydrated and remain in cooler areas whenever possible.

The province’s preparations come after South Cotabato experienced severe dry conditions in late 2023 and early 2024 that caused widespread damage to farms and livelihoods.

South Cotabato declared a state of calamity on April 26, 2024, after agricultural and livelihood losses reached P201.9 million and affected at least 2,767 farmers.

Surallah, Tboli and Banga also declared states of calamity at the time as the dry spell affected farms and water supplies.

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Aquino urged residents, particularly farmers and livestock raisers, to continue monitoring official advisories and take precautions as the province prepares for the possibility of more severe heat and dry conditions. /mr