By Debbie E. Gasingan
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (PIA) — The National Irrigation Administration Cordillera (NIA-CAR) said that mitigating measures are in place for the possible effects of El Niño.
Of the 69,270 hectares of agricultural areas served by NIA-CAR across the region, 2,780 hectares are identified as vulnerable areas.
Based on NIA’s continuous monitoring, water levels in rivers in Abra, Apayao, and Kalinga have already declined.
NIA-CAR Regional Manager Ronilio Cervantes said that to address the effects of the looming El Niño, they are strictly implementing scheduling and rotation of water distribution in their service areas.
He added that they also continue to conduct desilting and clearing of canals in their service area to ensure proper water distribution, enhance irrigation efficiency, and support the farming operations of the community amid the dry season.
“Marami na rin po tayong natanggap na bagong [equipment] sa ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at tuloy-tuloy po ang ginagawa nating desilting and clearing sa ating mga kanal para mapaganda ang daloy ng tubig patungo sa mga bukirin,” Cervantes said.
He also shared their plan to buy additional water pumps and lend them to the affected areas.
“Maglalagay tayo ng water pump, fill in areas na hindi maabot ng ating patubig. Ang plano po ng NIA-CAR ay bibili ng kaunting water pumps at ipahiram doon sa areas affected,” Cervantes said in an interview with PTV Cordillera.
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) has raised an El Niño Alert as of April 22, 2026, indicating a 79 percent chance of the phenomenon developing by the June-July-August period.
PAGASA Baguio Chief Meteorologist Engr. Larry Esperanza said that they still have to continuously monitor the developments because the phenomenon might continue until next year.
“Puwede itong mag-prolong kasi ang nakikita pa lang is until the end of this year. We’ll see again if this will continue next year,” Esperanza said.
The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had earlier issued an advisory for local government units to prepare for the possible impact of El Niño. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)
