Isabela Province Intensifies El Niño Response Amid Worsening Drought Impact

ILAGAN CITY, Isabela — The Isabela provincial government stepped up response to El Niño after more than 118,000 farmers and fisherfolk were initially assessed to have been affected by prolonged dry conditions, with water shortages threatening about 31,000 hectares of farmland. Assistant Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Lalaine C. Delmendo presented the situation and ongoing interventions during the third-quarter joint meeting of provincial councils and task forces at the Capitol Amphitheater last Sept. 9. The Isabela provincial government began holding emergency meetings in June with national government agencies, local chief executives and other stakeholders to coordinate measures against the worsening effects of the dry spell. Governor Rodolfo T. Albano III, Vice-Governor Francis Faustino A. Dy and House Speaker Faustino G. Dy III joined assessments of affected fish cage operations. The provincial government has deployed teams to retrieve and properly dispose of dead fish in areas hit by fish kills to prevent water contamination and protect public health. It is also coordinating with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Irrigation Administration for additional fisheries support, including canning facilities, fishing vessels, cold storage and freezer vans. For farmers, the DA and provincial government are providing 130 solar-powered pumps and 40 mobile solar-powered pumps in priority areas, while P5,000 fuel cards are being given to farmers who operate agricultural machinery, enrolled to the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture. Cloud-seeding operations launched in July are also being undertaken to raise Magat Dam’s water level, with about 90,000 hectares of irrigated farmland served by the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System expected to benefit and help ease the water shortage affecting 31,000 hectares. At least 40,000 kilos of mung bean seeds are being distributed by the provincial government to about 8,000 farmers and are positioning alternative, water-efficient crops such as watermelon, glutinous white corn, mung bean and onion. For longer-term protection, Mr. Albano said they are considering additional dams and water-impounding facilities, as well as the rehabilitation of waterways, watersheds, and forests. — Artemio A. Dumlao