Capiz to cope up with El Niño
ROXAS CITY – Capiceño farmers have been encouraged by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) to plant short gestation crops to cope up with the prolonged mild dry spell brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.
“Crops that can be harvested in a short period of time are being recommended,” said Provincial Agriculturist Sylvia Dela Cruz.
She added that a technical meeting with some OPA staff is scheduled next week to formulate recommendations for local government units and identify needed assistance from concerned national government agencies.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that several parts of the country have already been experiencing dry spells brought by the phenomenon.
“The province of Capiz is already under drought condition as it experienced five (5) consecutive months from August-December with below normal rainfall,” said the weather bureau’s latest El Niño advisory.
The advisory added that drought has affected several provinces in the country, including Benguet, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Batangas, Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, Mindoro, Romblon, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Northern Samar, Aklan, Guimaras, Biliran, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, Saranggani and Sultan Kudarat.
PAGASA said that these areas have experienced three to four consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition. (PIA/A.Lumaque)
