DA allots P800-M for El Niño measures

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Agriculture has allotted some P800 million to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon which experts expect will hit the country during the fourth quarter.

Agriculture Undersecretary Ernesto Ordoñez though said a "mild" El Niño will hit the country.

"We are quite prepared for it," said Ordoñez, adding that Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Mon—temayor has launched a campaign on water conservation.

Ordoñez, however, could not say how much of the P800 million is earmarked for Eastern Visayas.

The fund, he said, will be used in improving irrigation systems to mitigate the impact of El Niño.

"We should be careful so we will not be caught unawares on the impact of El Niño," said Ordoñez, adding that other government agencies like the departments of health and energy and the Philippine Information Agency should join the information drive.

The STAR learned that 18 percent of the P800-million fund could possibly be appropriated for Eastern Visayas for the acquisition of shallow tube wells for areas that may be hit by El Niño.