KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO – The Office of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (OPDRRMO) of South Cotabato is on heightened alert for the possible effects of the El Niño phenomenon in the province.
Provincial DRRM Officer Rolly Doane C. Aquino, RN, said the province is currently under an El Niño Alert, prompting the office to strengthen preparedness and mitigation measures against the potential impacts of prolonged heat and dry conditions.
“We are currently under an El Niño Alert, which means that we need to strengthen our preparedness and mitigation measures. If we experience prolonged and excessive heat and reduced rainfall, it could have significant effects on the health of our people, our crops, and livestock,” Aquino said.
Aquino explained that prolonged periods of extreme heat and reduced rainfall could adversely affect public health, agriculture, and livestock, particularly if dry conditions intensify and develop into a full-blown El Niño phenomenon.
As part of its preparedness measures, the OPDRRMO has already coordinated with various provincial and local agencies to ensure a unified response should the province experience significant impacts from the phenomenon.
Among the agencies coordinated with are the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), Philippine Red Cross–South Cotabato, Municipal and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (M/CDRRMOs), the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), and the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV).
The coordination aims to strengthen inter-agency preparedness and ensure that appropriate measures are immediately implemented to address possible concerns involving human health, food and agricultural production, and animal welfare.
Aquino also assured that the necessary funds are being prepared and made available for disaster response and mitigation efforts should the effects of prolonged drought or El Niño damage communities, crops, and livestock.
“We are making sure that the necessary resources and funds are available so that we can immediately respond if the effects of drought become more severe. Our priority is to protect our communities, particularly our people, farmers, and livestock, from the possible impacts of El Niño,” Aquino said.
The OPDRRMO continues to monitor weather and climate conditions and coordinate with concerned agencies and local DRRM offices to ensure that South Cotabato remains prepared for any potential hazards associated with prolonged heat and dry conditions.
Aquino likewise urged the public, particularly farmers and livestock raisers, to remain vigilant, stay updated on official advisories, and take necessary precautionary measures to minimize the possible effects of El Niño.
South Cotabato recorded a dry spell that began in the final months of 2023 and escalated through early 2024, prompting province to officially declare a State of Calamity on April 26, 2024, after total damages to agriculture and livelihoods exceeded ₱201.9 million.
The towns of Surallah, Tboli and Banga declared a state of calamity that time because of the effect of EL Niño.
The record also showed that at least 2,767 farmers were directly affected by the drought.
Water levels in major rivers, including the Allah River, dropped significantly, while storage in irrigation dams was depleted. As a result, rice paddies dried up, preventing many farmers from planting on schedule.
