DILG to LGUs: Pass water conservation ordinances

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines – Local government officials should pass ordinances on water conservation to mitigate the effects of El Niño, Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento has said.

“All local chief executives and members of the Sanggunian are encouraged... Look into all water cycle stages in formulating policies: from rainfall or other sources to strategic collection, appropriate use, adequate treatment and proper discharge,” Sarmiento said in a memorandum received by the office of San Fernando Mayor Pablo Ortega yesterday.

“Increase awareness campaign and activities within your jurisdiction on the wise and responsible use of water and ensure strong political leverage in the implementation and enforcement of water conservation rules and regulations,” the memorandum stated.

Sarmiento said local governments should intervene to improve the management of water resources in view of the advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration that El Niño may intensify in the first quarter of the year.

He also proposed the creation of water conservation committees to be chaired by local chief executives.

Damage to crops, livestock

Meanwhile, damage to agricultural crops and livestock due to El Niño in Negros Occidental has breached P300 million as of Monday.

Sugarcane incurred the most extensive loss at P163.3 million; rice, P151 million; corn, P2.1 million, and high-value crops, P883,000,  a report of the office of the provincial agriculturist showed.

Damage to livestock was placed at P2.93 million.

The OPA report added that 4,450.47 hectares of rice fields and 5,160 farmers from 127 barangays were affected.

The provincial government is proposing cloud-seeding operations to mitigate the effects of the dry spell.

El Niño-free

In Central Luzon, some 96,800 hectares of agricultural lands have been declared “El Niño-free” by the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS).

Florentino David, UPRIIS manager, yesterday said these farm lands would not be affected by the dry spell because of the high water elevation at the Pantabangan Dam.

As of yesterday, the water level in the dam was at 207.16 meters above sea level, way above the critical level of 172 meters.

David said there is enough water to irrigate farmlands until the end of the cropping season on April 22. – With Danny Dangcalan, Manny Galvez