KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO — Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr. has directed all departments and offices of the Provincial Government of South Cotabato to intensify preparations for the possible impacts of the El Niño phenomenon in the province.
Tamayo issued the directive as the provincial government strengthens its preparedness measures to protect agriculture, livestock, water resources, food supply, and public health from the potential effects of prolonged dry conditions.
“We need to make sure that our farmers will have sufficient water for their crops, especially those that require continuous irrigation. We must prepare now and not wait until the situation becomes critical,” Tamayo said.
The governor emphasized the need to ensure an adequate water supply from irrigation systems, particularly for farmers whose crops depend heavily on sufficient water.
He also directed concerned provincial offices to assess and prepare the necessary financial resources to respond to possible losses and damages resulting from the phenomenon.
According to Tamayo, preparations should cover not only crops but also livestock, which may likewise be affected by water shortages, limited feed supply, and extreme temperatures.
“Our preparation should be comprehensive. We must look at our agriculture, livestock, water supply, health, and the funds that may be needed in case there are damages or affected communities,” he said.
The governor further stressed the need to anticipate possible health concerns associated with El Niño, particularly those that could arise from prolonged heat and inadequate water supply.
Meanwhile, Tamayo instructed concerned offices to ensure that the storage facility in the Municipality of Banga is fully operational and ready for the possible stockpiling of agricultural products.
The facility is expected to support the provincial government’s efforts to maintain adequate food supplies and help ensure the availability of essential agricultural commodities during periods when unfavorable weather conditions could affect production.
Tamayo also underscored the importance of maintaining sufficient buffer stocks as part of the province’s overall preparedness strategy.
“We need to maintain our buffer stocks because preparedness is not only about responding when a disaster happens. We must already have the necessary supplies and resources before the situation becomes more serious,” Tamayo said.
The governor emphasized that early preparation and coordinated action among provincial government offices are essential in minimizing the potential effects of El Niño on communities.
He said the Provincial Government will continue to strengthen its disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, particularly through coordination among concerned departments, local government units, and other stakeholders.
“The Provincial Government of South Cotabato has always been prepared when it comes to disaster response. We will continue to strengthen our preparations so that we can immediately respond to the needs of our people,” Tamayo said.
Tamayo called on all provincial government departments and concerned stakeholders to remain vigilant and closely coordinate their respective preparedness measures.
He stressed that proactive planning is necessary to minimize possible disruptions to agricultural production, water availability, food security, livestock production, and essential services should the effects of El Niño intensify in the province.
The governor likewise encouraged concerned offices to continuously monitor the situation and ensure that appropriate interventions are in place to protect the welfare and livelihood of South Cotabateños.
The Provincial Government is expected to continue coordinating with concerned national government agencies, local government units, farmers’ groups, and other stakeholders in implementing measures aimed at mitigating the possible impacts of El Niño in South Cotabato.
