BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR and VICTOR REYES
PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday dismissed the idea of a nationwide state of calamity due to the El Niño weather phenomenon, assuring the public that the government is carrying out different measures designed to address the specific needs of every affected area in the country.
The President, asked in an interview in Bacolod City if he will declare a national state of calamity, said all places in the country will be affected by the El Niño, but the effect will be felt in varying degrees and there is no single response that would apply to all.
He made the statement as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) projected that eight areas nationwide will experience a “danger” level heat index today.
It said Daet town in Camarines Norte was forecast to experience 46 degrees today. Four areas — San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro; Puerto Princesa City and Aborlan town, in Palawan; and Cotabato City in Maguindanao del Norte — are forecast to have a heat index of 43 degrees. Aparri town and Tuguegarao City, both in Cagayan, and Roxas City in Capiz are expected to have a heat index of 42 degrees.
The high heat index has forced many local government units to suspend face-to-face classes in the past weeks.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said another town has declared state of calamity due to El Niño.
Paglat town in Maguindanao del Sur was placed under a state of calamity on April 4, adding to the 17 other towns and one city earlier declared under a state of calamity.
Marcos acknowledged that several towns and cities have declared a state of calamity and that about 80 of the provinces in the country may already be severely affected by the El Niño by the end of April, as reported by Task Force El Niño and PAGASA.
He said they look at the effect of El Niño by area and assess what the immediate needs are in those areas, and extend assistance accordingly.
The President said provinces in the western side of the country, like Western Visayas, are the most affected by El Niño and among those with calamity declarations.
“But the other areas, although ramdam pa rin, hindi naman critical (But the other areas, although they felt it, are not critical),” he said.
Marcos said the government has taken several measures to assist those who are severely affected, like improvement of the irrigation system to boost agricultural production despite the drought.
Last week, the President reiterated some of his directives to government agencies to ensure public safety and assist farmers affected by the El Niño.
San Juan City Mayor and Metro Manila Council (MMC) president Francis Zamora asked the public to conserve water.
“We, at the city hall, are now creating rain catchment areas as well as in our barangay halls, preschools, government facilities, as well as in our own homes,” he said.
Water catchments are storing rainwater with the use of funnels and drums. The water may be used for cleaning homes, watering plants, and other uses depending on the cleanliness of the water. — With Christian Oineza
