MANILA – Malacañang said government agencies have begun implementing measures to lessen the potential effects of a forecast El Niño episode, which is expected to bring below-normal rainfall and possible dry spells in several parts of the country.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said preparations are already underway, particularly in the agriculture and irrigation sectors, as authorities anticipate possible water shortages in vulnerable farming areas.

“Ang El Niño naman po ay nararanasan natin, hindi na po ito bago, kaya handa po ang DA (Department of Agriculture) sa mga kongkretong measures para ito ay maagapan (We are experiencing El Niño, it is nothing new, so the DA is ready with concrete measures to address it),” Castro said in a press briefing.

She said the Department of Agriculture has instructed its field offices to monitor high-risk farming areas and implement localized interventions based on historical El Niño patterns.

Castro added that the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has been directed to identify irrigation systems and agricultural areas that may be affected by reduced water supply, including major facilities such as Magat Dam and the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems.

Other agencies, including the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, are also conducting mapping of rain-fed and irrigated farmlands to support mitigation efforts.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration earlier said there is a 92 percent chance of a moderate to strong El Niño developing, with some models warning of a possible “super” El Niño that could significantly reduce rainfall and strain water resources. (PNA)