DA takes proactive measures vs El Niño in Calabarzon

MANILA, April 2 – The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit of Region 4-A (CALABARZON) said it is mitigating the potential adverse impacts of El Niño phenomenon in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

DA-4 A said it has embarked on a four-day distribution of Shallow Tube Wells (STWs) in the provinces of Quezon, Laguna and Rizal since February 2010 as an initial implementation of the El Niño Mitigation Program of DA in the region.

DA Assistant Secretary and Concurrent Regional Executive Director Dennis B. Araullo led the distribution of six units of STWs in Sariaya, Quezon last week and 10 units of STWs for the five municipalities of Laguna namely Pangil, Sinoluan, Famy, Sta. Maria and Mabitac the following day.

In the towns of Pililla, Tanay, Baras, Morong, San Mateo and Montalban in the province of Rizal, a total of 12 STWs or two per town, were personally handed by Regional Technical Director Abelardo R. Bragas to the local officials and farmer beneficiaries last weekend.

Hundreds of bags of certified seeds were also provided to selected towns. Witnessing the distribution were the provincial and municipal officials, some regional staff and officers and members of the farmers' association who were the recipients of the water pumps.

Quezon and Laguna were among the 24 provinces classified as "moderately vulnerable areas" in the country.

The effects of El Niño are just starting to be felt in Quezon, Laguna and Rizal but as Araullo put it, "May El Niño man o wala, tayo'y maghanda" (Whether there is El Niño or none, we have to be ready).” (PNA) LAP/JCA