TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) — The Cagayan Valley Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has created a task force to mitigate and respond on the possible effects of El Niño phenomenon that is anticipated to be felt early next year and to last long up to the third quarter.
The creation of the task force was in response to the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to all local disaster councils to consolidate all measures to mitigate the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and to prioritize efforts based on short-term and long-term interventions of the government.
Regional Director Leon DG. Rafael of the Office of Civil Defense Region 2 said the primary function of the task force is to strengthen the interagency coordination and efforts as well as delivery of assistance to reduce its possible effects on people’s welfare, livelihood, and the region’s economy.
He also said the team is tasked to develop a comprehensive action plan to mitigate the possible effects of the anticipated severe drought.
“The task force will develop strategies for managing and responding to El Niño events covering all sectors. The team will also assess potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with El Niño in localities,” Rafael said.
The task force is chaired by the Department of the Interior and Local Government while the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Agriculture will serve as the vice chairs.
The National Economic and Development Authority will also lead the strategy management unit and the Philippine Information Agency will lead the strategic communication unit of the team, with 36 government agencies and non-government organizations as members.
Members of the Cagayan Valley Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council discuss the provisions of the resolution constituting the region’s El Niño Task Force. (Image by PIA 2)
Rafael also said the team will also be evaluating the impact of the phenomenon on agriculture, water supply, infrastructure, and public health.
“The member agencies should also allocate resources effectively to implement strategies and plans. They should ensure that funds, personnel, and equipment are available to respond to El Niño-related challenges promptly,” he added.
Rafael further said mitigation efforts should be carried out as early as possible to eliminate the severe impact of El Niño, especially on the agriculture sector, which is the prime economic driver of the Cagayan Valley Region.
Region 2 is the number one producer of corn and second in rice in the entire country. The region also produces high-value commercial crops and vegetables that augment the demand and the requirement in the National Capital Region and other areas. (ALM/OTB/PIA Region 2)
