SENATE minority leader Aquilino Pimentel III yesterday asked President Marcos Jr. to focus on short and long-term solutions to the water crisis and the looming threat of the El Niño weather phenomenon in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24.
The two pressing issues, Pimentel stressed, are far more important than the controversy-ridden Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill which administration lawmakers and economic managers have been rushing to be enacted.
He said the negative effects of the two have “far-reaching consequences” that could play havoc with the country’s economy, particularly on food security and agricultural productivity, and it would do well for the president to focus his sights on addressing them.
“Huwag puro Maharlika Investment Fund (Don’t put too much attention to the Maharlika Investment Fund). The adverse effects of water shortage and El Niño have far-reaching consequences on various sectors of the economy. Past droughts and water crises have caused a significant toll on the economy, business, agriculture, power generation, public health, and natural resources, among others,” Pimentel said.
The senator cited a study by Columbia University stating that the El Niño event in the late 1990s left 70 percent of the Philippines experiencing devastating drought conditions, while Union Bank of the Philippines Inc. chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion has warned that a strong El Niño event could lead to national gross domestic product (GDP) losses of up to $3.3 billion.
“These staggering economic implications highlight the importance of pro-active and preventive measures to mitigate the impact of the water crisis and El Niño. It is crucial for the President to use the State of the Nation Address as a platform to present long-term strategies and sustainable solutions that can mitigate the effects of water shortage and El Niño,” Pimentel said.
He said that while President Marcos Jr. has earlier acknowledged the gravity of the water crisis when he said last March that 11 million families still lacked access to clean water, the government should also be more pro-active in solving the problem.
“The concerns about the impending water shortage and El Niño phenomenon were made earlier. Ano na ang ginawang hakbang ng gobyerno (What has the government done? As I said before, the government should take an anticipatory approach and not merely be passive in addressing these challenges),” Pimentel said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that the El Niño phenomenon could cause dry spells and droughts in the country in the last quarter of the year and the first half of 2024.
It said that at least 28 areas could experience dry conditions and 36 others may record dry spells by the end of 2023, while at least 26 areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila, may experience drought by January 2024,
The United Nations World Meteorological Organization has likewise officially declared the emergence of El Niño conditions in the Tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, with a 90 percent probability of it persisting until the second half of 2024.
Over the weekend, Maynilad Water Services announced daily water supply interruption in several areas in Metro Manila starting Wednesday due to Angat Dam falling below its minimum operating level.
The water level in Angat Dam was at 179.26 meters as of 5 a.m. yesterday, while the water level of the Ipo Dam was at 98.59 meters.
Angat Dam supplies potable water to Metro Manila and nearby provinces. It is also the source of irrigation water for Bulacan and Pampanga farmers. On the other hand, the Ipo watershed, a vital link in the Angat-Umiray-Ipo watersheds system, supplies around 96 percent of the water needs of NCR.
Maynilad said the water interruption will cover several areas in Caloocan City, Malabon City, Manila, Valenzuela City, Navotas City and Quezon City, and will be implemented from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m., with some localities to be affected until 6 a.m.
Pimentel appealed to the public to conserve water and electricity during this critical period.
“These problems need immediate attention and concerted efforts from both the government and the public. I implore each of us to conserve water,” he said.
HEALTH ISSUES
On the heels of the onset of the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said it is on alert over the possible surge in cases of diseases, such as dengue and cholera.
In a press conference, DOH spokesman Dr. Eric Tayag said they are on guard over the possible rise in dengue cases as seen during the 1998 El Niño phenomenon.
“One may wonder why the threat of dengue when mosquitoes need water. But, during El Niño, there is a tendency by the people to store water. These water containers, thus, become the breeding places of mosquitoes,” said Tayag.
Based on the latest Dengue Surveillance Report, there are 72,333 dengue cases reported from January 1 to June 17, which is 14 percent higher than the 63,526 dengue cases recorded during the same period last year.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa also said they are concerned over the potential cholera outbreaks that the El Niño may cause, especially in areas where there are water interruptions.
“When water pipes are shut off, those old, broken, and dilapidated tend to be penetrated by dirty water, especially those near comfort rooms,” said Herbosa.
According to the latest Cholera Surveillance Report, there are 2,125 cholera cases reported from January 1 to June 17. This is 4 percent lower than the 2,209 cholera cases recorded during the same period last year.
The DOH reminded the public to observe the 5S strategy against dengue, which stands for Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, uphold Self-protection like using insect repellents, Seek early consultation at the nearest health care facility, Support fogging, spraying, and misting in hot spot areas, and Sustain hydration.
“The implementation of the 5S strategy calls for everyone to become prime movers in controlling the mosquito population and avoiding any possible dengue deaths within the community,” said the DOH.
As for cholera, Herbosa urged the public to make it a point to always boil their drinking water, especially if they observe discoloration.
PAMPANGA
Pampanga Board Member Jun Canlas said the provincial government is bracing for the possible harmful effects of the El Niño in the province.
Canlas said during the “Laging Handa” public forum that Gov. Dennis Pineda has already ordered an inventory of the province’s agricultural and aquaculture lands “so that we know what interventions” can be done.
The governor has also supposedly ordered the repair of communal irrigation facilities to maximize the utilization of their water resources.
Canlas said the provincial government has been coordinating with municipal agriculturists so they can launch a massive information campaign and inform farmers on what to do when El Niño starts.
At present, he said the province has the Congress Diosdado Macapagal dam as the main water source for irrigation of farmlands, aside from water sourced from the Porac and Gumain rivers.
“I had the provincial agriculturist to present an inventory of all cooperatives and irrigators associations to determine the irrigation paths under their care so we can determine what resources are needed to be subsidized by the local government,” Canlas said in Filipino.
He also said the province will make use floodwaters in their irrigation system, and at the same time introduce “water saving technology” and the “rotational irrigation scheme” to maximize their water resources.
He said proper coordination has also been made with the National Irrigation Administration to ensure a stable supply of water for Pampanga farmlands.
He said the Department of Agriculture has also prepared financial assistance to farmers to be affected by the El Niño, while soliciting the help of the Department of Labor and Employment for TUPAD or the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers.
In terms of food security, Canlas said the provincial government is now building its rice complex where farmers can stock their produce. — With Gerard Naval and Raymond Africa
