GOVERNMENT agencies are reviving protocols aimed to address the dry spell and updating the Expanded Roadmap for Addressing the Impact of El Niño (E-RAIN), Defense Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a report to President Marcos Jr.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has said El Niño may be felt from June to August, with chances of increasing severity towards the first quarter of 2024.
During the El Niño, several areas including Metro Manila may start experiencing below normal rainfall conditions while others will experience below normal rainfall conditions.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said yesterday that in Galvez’ three-page report, he said concerned government agencies under the El Niño Team are working double time to significantly reduce the negative impacts of the El Niño phenomenon.
The team recommended the adoption of the E-RAIN framework and the creation of a technical working group to help update the protocols and contingency measures, and agreed to retain the structure of the El Niño Task Force to include local government units.
“The monitoring of resources, the recommendations of the concerned agencies and the strategies employed by the previous administrations shall be taken as inputs to enhance the E-RAIN framework,” Galvez said, adding that the El Niño team will update and improve the E-RAIN, specifically areas of concern such as food, water, and energy security, and health and public safety.
The El Niño team will be led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Members are the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy, Department of Health, Department of Science and Technology, Office of Civil Defense, National Economic and Development Authority, National Irrigation Administration, and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
