By Sally Atento-Altea
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — The provincial government of Albay is ramping up preparations for a “very strong” El Niño, focusing on water supply, irrigation, agricultural support, and information campaigns for farmers, fisherfolk, and livestock raisers.
Governor Noel Rosal stated that the provincial government is reallocating funds for irrigation projects planned for 2027.
He said the focus will be on repairing and rehabilitating existing facilities to help farmers maintain crop production during dry spells.
“For Albay, I realigned the funds and included some of the other development plans for irrigation in 2027,” Rosal said.
The province also plans to provide fertilizer to help farmers maintain crop productivity despite unfavorable climatic conditions, he added.
Rosal said that the provincial government has redirected approximately P25 million to support farmers and fisherfolk.
There are plans to increase this allocation to P50 million and eventually to P100 million next year to sustain agricultural and fisheries programs, he added.
Meanwhile, the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (Apsemo) has prepared water trucks and water filtration machines for municipalities and barangays that may require assistance during prolonged dry spells.
“Our water lorries and water filtration machines are already available. We need to prepare all of them so that if local government units request assistance, our equipment will be ready,” said Bobby Cristobal, the head of Apsemo.
The provincial government is also enhancing information campaigns to help communities understand the potential effects of El Niño and adopt measures to protect their livelihoods.
The Albay Provincial Agriculture Office (APAO) will conduct caravans in various city and municipal LGUs and communities to educate farmers and fisherfolk on managing the impact of prolonged dry conditions on agricultural production and fishing activities.
“We will conduct an El Niño caravan and visit different local government units and communities to help our farmers and fisherfolk better understand its effects,” APAO officer-in-charge Daryl John Buenconsejo said.
As part of its agricultural initiatives, the APAO is preparing cassava and sweet potato cuttings for distribution to farmers.
These crops are generally more resilient to dry conditions compared to many other crops, offering farmers alternative planting options during periods of limited rainfall, according to Buenconsejo.
As of October 5, Buenconsejo reported that over 400 farmers in Albay have been affected by the dry spell, including those growing rice, corn, and high-value crops.
The Albay Veterinary Office is also encouraging livestock raisers to participate in scheduled information caravans aimed at educating them on measures to mitigate the effects of prolonged dry conditions on their animals.
“If we schedule a caravan, please attend so we can inform you on what else can be done to minimize the effects of El Niño on your animals,” said veterinary office head Pancho Mella.
The provincial government discussed these preparations during a special meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Oct. 5 at the Apsemo office in Albay. (Raiza Lucido contributed to this report/PIA Bicol/Albay)
