The City Hall of Zamboanga City. (PNA file photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city agriculturist office has readied mitigating measures for the agriculture and fishery sector against the drought-induced El Niño phenomenon.
This came as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Zamboanga office advised the local government to be ready against the expected occurrence of the dry spell that may start in July.
Carmencita Sanchez, the city agriculturist, said they have started conducting an information drive, farming classes, and meetings to let the farmers understand the implications of the weather phenomenon.
“We are preparing for the El Niño phenomenon whether it will occur,” she said.
Also, among the mitigating measures are water rationing in irrigation canals, orientation on credit policy and crop insurance, planting date and crop choices or drought-resistant crops, she added.
Rainfalls are likewise being monitored and rice supply is undergoing inventories.
As per the monitoring of rivers, Sanchez said water levels in Curuan and Mercedes rivers here have reached the “critical” and” highly critical” stages, respectively.
However, the water level in the rivers of Boalan, Guiwan, Pasonanca, Quiniput, Bunguiao, Ayala, and Talisayan, among others, remain at the normal stage.
“I’m not bothered with the agri-fishery sector because the water supply is still normal,” she said.
So far, she said there are no reports of damage to crops coming from their sub-field offices relative to extreme heat. (PNA)
