The provincial government of Pangasinan, together with national government agencies, continues to support farmers’ and fisherfolk associations in the province to address the threat of a very strong El Niño phenomenon.

Provincial agriculturist Dalisay Moya said in a Tuesday interview that the provincial government will distribute water pumps to farmers’ associations starting January next year as part of measures to mitigate the phenomenon.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has allocated over PHP1.5 billion for the region’s El Niño action plan.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have assured assistance for farmers and fishers affected by the occurrence.

The provincial government and government agencies, including the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, National Irrigation Administration, National Power Corporation, DOLE, DSWD, DA, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, gathered farmers and fishers in a congress on Tuesday to discuss relevant information on the ongoing El Niño phenomenon.

“Governor Ramon Guico III called our farmers and fisherfolk so they would know the right information about the El Niño phenomenon, how they can prepare, and what they can do to lessen the ill effects of El Niño on the lives of our farmers and fisherfolk,” Moya said.

She said relevant government agencies will help local government units and assist affected farmers and fishers.

Moya said an estimated 37,000 hectares of land in the province, with about 38,000 farmers and 15,200 fishers, are forecast to be affected.

“These are mostly at the tail end of the irrigation systems,” she said, adding that around 50,000 hectares of rain-fed areas in the province may also be affected.

Moya said the National Power Corporation reported that San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan, has enough water for irrigation.

“It rained a lot in Pangasinan, and it also helped our preparedness. It means there is enough water for irrigated lands during the second cropping season. It also helped recharge the groundwater,” she said.

NIA principal engineer Harry Villanueva said they are urging farmers at the tail end of the irrigation system to follow a rotational cropping schedule or to avoid planting if there is not enough water to prevent losses.

He said NIA continues to inspect the irrigation canals and make repairs as needed to ensure an uninterrupted water flow. (PNA)