MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. does not see the need yet to declare a national state of calamity amid the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
The Chief Executive explained that, while the effects of the phenomenon could be felt, it is not yet critical for the national government to declare a national state of calamity.
“Ang katotohanan niyan lahat maaapektuhan. Ngayon gaano kalala ang magiging effect ng El Niño… It’s really ang mga probinsya sa western side na,” Marcos said.
“So those are the areas na nagde-declare ng calamity but the other areas, although ramdam pa rin, hindi naman critical,” the Chief Executive added.
The President further said that the national government is already doing measure to address the effects of El Niño in some parts of the country.
“Naglagay nga tayo ng mga dam, patuloy na inaayos ang ating irigasyon, we should and we are trying to find new techniques of planting,” Marcos said.
“We are harvesting more palay now than we are last year, that’s despite the El Niño, so it’s taking effect,” the President further said.
Currently, there are 18 local government units that have declared a state of calamity due to the impact of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, based on the tally of Task Force El Niño.
Data from the Department of Agriculture earlier said the damage and losses of the agriculture sector due to the scorching heat has hit more than P2.63 billion./PN
