Government agencies will soon adopt water conservation programs as the country braces for the looming dry spell from El Niño in the coming months.
The National El Niño Team made the pronouncement in its meeting this week to help prevent water shortage.
It tasked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to develop the said programs and to also identify the areas the “geographically challenged” areas that will need water augmentation efforts.
“Water conservation programs (will) be developed and implemented in national government offices,” the team said in a statement.
With the expected reduction in water level of the Angat dam, DENR and the Department of Agriculture (DA) will coordinate National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to ensure farmers will still get sufficient water supply for their crops.
The DA will also come out with a comprehensive report on mitigation measures and El Niño interventions.
It will also partner with the Philippine Rice Research Institute to gather data on drought-resistant varieties.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ordered the creation of the National El Niño Team to help the country cope with the expected dry spell by the second half of the year.
Among the new members of the team is the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Image credits: Suzanne June G. Perante