CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) -- In anticipation of the effects of the El Niño phenomenon in the Cagayan Valley Region, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) and the Department of Social Welfare and Department (DSWD) are collaborating to gather data for the development of anticipatory actions to mitigate the adverse effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

DSWD Regional Director Lucia Alan said the action programs to be formulated will be integrated into the “Building on Social Protection for Anticipatory Action and Response in Emergencies and Disasters" (B-SPARED) project. 

The B-SPARED tests a new approach to responding to imminent disasters by providing necessary interventions through social protection programs. The team will utilize the national poverty registry of the DSWD to target the beneficiaries of the programs under the B-SPARED concept. 

“Our collaboration aims to prepare and capacitate farmers and other vulnerable groups to mitigate the adverse impacts of the prolonged drought on their lives and livelihoods,” Alan said.

She said the province of Isabela was chosen as the pilot area for the data gathering being the largest agricultural province in the region and the number one corn producer in the entire country. 

"We will gather data and other inputs from farmers and other affected sectors in Isabela for the formulation and integration of a drought anticipatory action that we will be developing and to be implemented soon with the effects of the El Niño in the region," Alan said.

Alan further stressed the importance of establishing an adaptive and shock-responsive social protection system during severe disasters.

“Recognizing the challenges posed by prolonged dry spells which are expected to peak during March and April this year, the collaboration aims to equip farmers and other vulnerable groups to mitigate the adverse impacts of droughts on their lives and livelihoods,” Alan said. 

The project is conducted in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Space Agency. (OTB/MGE/PIA Isabela)