Negros Oriental braces for El Niño

DUMAGUETE CITY – The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) in Negros Oriental is gearing up for a possible El Niño occurrence this year, even as crops continue to thrive here amid the prevailing hot dry season.

PAO-Negros Oriental provincial chief Emmanuel Caduyac said Friday that so far, his office has not yet received reports of damaged crops due to the searing heat.

“Even with the absence of rain in recent weeks, rice, corn, vegetables, and other crops are still flourishing,” he said in an interview.

He also noted irrigation water remains sufficient, consistent with reports of farmers in the countryside.

Likewise, the National Irrigation Administration here also has an abundant supply of water feeding the farmlands, he added.

Caduyac hopes that favorable weather conditions will continue in the months ahead, even with the threat of a dry spell.

PAO is still awaiting guidance from the Department of Agriculture, although they are now preparing counter-measures against the unusual weather pattern.

Heightened awareness among farmers is key to preventing significant losses in terms of production, he said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the current warm weather pattern will likely transition to El Niño by the third quarter of the year. (PNA)