Farmlands in Zamboanga drying up

Senate President Pro Tempore Manny Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on food and agriculture, said certain areas in Zamboanga are already beginning to feel the effects of a possible El Niño, with rainfall levels this early part of the year falling below normal levels.

"I have received reports that there is already a shortage of water supply in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and other areas in Region 9 as a result of this," Villar said, adding that farmlands in many areas have dried up.

In Zamboanga City alone, the regional office of the Department of Agriculture has reported that 30 hectares of farmlands have dried up.

Villar called on the government’s El Niño task force to look into the situation in the affected areas so it can extend the necessary assistance, such as the construction of shallow tube wells to help farmers through the dry spell.

He also called on local government units all over the country to put in place their respective programs to deal with El Niño.

Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor, in a report to President Arroyo, said El Niño is expected to occur in July in Mindanao, July to August in the Visayas, and August in Luzon.

"It will hit its peak in the last quarter of the year and will subside in April to May next year," he said.

He said his department has completed some 448 irrigation projects, covering 77,525 hectares of farmlands, nationwide. — With Katherine Adraneda