Farmers in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, show rice fields affected by the dry spell caused by the drying of rivers due to the El Niño phenomenon in this photo issued on February 25, 2024. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA— The National Irrigation Administration is expanding the usage of solar-powered irrigation pumps to temper the adverse effects of the El Niño in the agricultural sector.
El Niño is posing a threat in production of crops, especially rice, which requires water.
READ: All provinces to experience ‘drought’ by end of March 2027 — Solidum
"Alam ninyo po kasi itong solar pump irrigation projects, kung kailan maaraw at saka mas malakas magbigay ng makapag-pump ng tubig," said NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen.
"At napansin namin, iyong mga binigyan namin ng mga solar pump irrigation projects, hindi ho kami nahihirapang kumbinsihin sila na mag-double dry cropping, iyong double dry cropping na tinatawag namin ano po. So, malaking tulong po ito sa ating mga farmers," he added.
The use of solar irrigation pumps have been used even during the 2024 El Niño.
Guillen says some areas will have to be prioritized in the program to ensure equity in water distribution.
"Sa national irrigation masterplan natin, iyong potentially irrigable po natin na 3.2 million hectares, nasa three percent slope lamang po ito," Guillen said.
"So ngayon, iyong mga bibigyan po ng prayoridad dito sa mga solar pump irrigation natin, kasi mga pipe system po ito, iyong mas matataas ang slope lalung-lalo na po iyong mga nagpo-produce po ng mga high-value crops natin, mga nasa upland communities at iyong mga tail-end po ng irrigation system natin na hindi—you know, silted kasi iyong mga ilog eh," he added.
The MWSS meanwhile said they are prepared to ensure continuous water supply despite the anticipated drought.
"Ang MWSS po 'no kasama po ang atin pong mga konsesyonaryo ay nakapag-prepare na po kasi last two years pa po inaasahan itong ating pong El Niño," said Engineer Patrick Dizon, spokesperson of the Water and Sewerage Management Department Manager of MWSS.
"Kaya po kami sa MWSS kasama iyong ating konsesyonaryo ay nakapag-implement na po ng mga additional water sources po natin aside from the Angat kasi 90% ng atin pong supply ay kinukuha po natin dito sa may Angat Dam," Dizon added.
The Climate Change Commission earlier suggested several measures to prepare the public for El Niño including steps on water management.
READ: Public urged to conserve water as 'super' El Niño looms
READ: How can you prepare for El Niño? Climate Change Commission suggests measures