MANILA – The National Irrigation Administration on Saturday downplayed the impact of El Niño to the local agriculture sector.
Around three provinces are affected by the dry spell since farmers in other provinces have already harvested their crops, according to Pilipina Bermudez, manager of NIA’s Public Information Office.
“In the entire Philippines where the NIA has its irrigation system, we’re happy to note that only about 3 provinces affected by El Niño precisely because cropping season started way in November, the harvest time is March or April or even February the farmers are already harvesting,” Bermudez told ANC.
“In other words, they don’t have need for much irrigation, except for provinces of Davao del Sur, Mindoro Occidental and some parts of Camarines Sur and Zamboanga.”
Bermudez added that through the Magat and Pantabangan reservoir, the agency has “enough water to support our crops.”
State weather bureau PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) on Friday declared the start of the dry season and said five provinces were experiencing drought conditions including Ilocos Norte, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao and Sulu. (ABS-CBN News)
