More irrigation infrastructure being built to address El Niño

SUMISIP, Basilan, Philippines — More irrigation infrastructure and dams are being built to address the effects of El Niño nationwide, according to President Marcos.

Various approaches to address El Niño are needed since parts of Luzon and Visayas, especially Western Visayas, are drying up while Mindanao is experiencing floods, he noted.

“Mindanao has a different effect of the El Niño,” Marcos said at the Kasanyangan Monument in Sampinit Complex in Basilan on Saturday.

In an advisory last month, the state weather bureau reported that 24 provinces in Luzon and a province in Visayas will potentially experience drought conditions; 17 provinces, dry spell; 10 provinces, dry conditions.

Areas that could experience drought include Abra, Apayao, Bataan, Benguet, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Metropolitan Manila, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Pangasinan, Quirino, Rizal, Zambales; Negros Occidental in Visayas and none in Mindanao.

Areas that could experience dry spells are Batangas, Laguna, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro in Luzon; Antique, Biliran, Capiz, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Oriental, Samar in Visayas; and Lanao del Norte, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao.

Dry conditions could be experienced in Bulacan in Luzon; Bohol, Siquijor and Southern Leyte in Visayas; and Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay in Mindanao.

Marcos noted that the infrastructure will also support the government’s food security program and food supply.