Bohol town steps up preparations for El Niño

CATIGBIAN, Bohol — The municipal government of Catigbian is strengthening its water security and agricultural support measures in preparation for El Niño that could prolong dry conditions and threaten farms and community water supplies.

Mayor Benjie Oliva said the local government has been identifying potential watershed areas and alternative water sources since April, including rivers and streams that could supply the proposed Catigbian Water Treatment Plant.

They inspected the Upper Loboc River and Upper Abatan River, including a river near the Bohol Area Command in Barangay Maitum and an area about three kilometers from Makapiko Bridge in Barangay Mahayag Norte.

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READ: Bohol farms reel from El Niño, suffer P173.7M in losses

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Oliva said the initiative aims to address possible water shortages during El Niño while laying the groundwork for long-term projects to protect and sustain the municipality’s water resources.

The local government has purchased two mobile water purification units worth a total of P3 million. The equipment will enable the municipality to convert water collected from rivers and streams into potable water.

Catigbian has also installed solar power systems in four existing water pumping stations in Kambaray 1, Kambaray 2, Espinosa and Kabawan.

Oliva said the municipality plans to establish three additional solar-powered water pumping stations this year in Barangays Triple Union, Cambailan and Sinakayanan. A new solar-powered pumping station has been added in Kambaray 2.

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To improve irrigation, the local government has requested assistance from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) for a solar-powered irrigation project in Sitio Bugho, Barangay Bongbong, which could serve more than 30 hectares of farmland.

READ: El Niño places 106 areas under state of calamity, affects over 300,000

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It has also sought assistance from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for an irrigation project covering about 500 hectares.

The municipality is also planning to purchase additional water pumps for irrigation and water tanks for every barangay to store supplies during dry periods.

Oliva said the local government would coordinate water delivery arrangements for communities that cannot be reached by the existing waterworks system.

Catigbian’s preparations come as Bohol continues to assess the effects of prolonged dry weather on its agricultural sector.

A partial assessment by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist showed that crop losses in Bohol had reached an estimated P173.69 million, affecting 6,676 farmers in 24 of the province’s 47 municipalities and one city.

With more than 5,000 farmers, Catigbian is among the agricultural communities that could face difficulties if a stronger El Niño develops.

The possible weather phenomenon poses another challenge to farmers already grappling with rising production costs and the need to maintain food security.

READ: Drought forecast to hit more areas until March 2027 – Pagasa

Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado said the provincial government would continue strengthening climate-smart agriculture and fisheries, improving water security and supporting local producers.

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Oliva said the early preparations in Catigbian are intended to help the municipality lessen the impact of prolonged dry conditions on its farmers and residents while securing water supplies for the months ahead./coa