Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda is proposing to the executive branch a rather detailed action plan that he believes would help mitigate the impact of El Niño, or the dreaded dry spell, to the country. Salceda, who also chairs the House technical working group (TWG) on measures creating a Department of Water Resources, first and foremost recommended moves in connection with irrigation. “One, develop small scale short gestation period irrigation system (National Irrigation Administration [NIA], provincial engineering office, Department of Agriculture [DA]). Accelerate Shallow tube well irrigation development in selected areas. Participatory, accelerated and focused low-lift pump (LLP) irrigation development,” he said. “For NIA: irrigation projects (repair and maintenance), inter-basin water transfer, and new water resource development, with greater geographical diversification," he said. The Bicolano then pitched to "fast track the construction of small water impounding projects" as well as to "remind barangays that they have an obligation to set up rainwater catchment facilities through the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government)”. He further recommended to the executive the “formulation and implementation of agricultural measures for mitigating the adverse effects of droughts, including measures designed to increase cropping intensity, to optimize unit area productivity, and aimed at decreasing water duty and diversifying cropping system". Salceda also favored activities like home gardening using pots and recycled containers and plastics. He said he would advise the concerned agencies to monitor and control of prices of basic and prime commodities, agricultural products, foods and drugs. As for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), he would ask it to carry out "fuel and fodder tree plantation, protection of catchment, watershed management run-off storage and recycling, and rehabilitation of watershed areas". “For social services and government financial institutions (GFIs): Crop Insurance extension, especially for severe weather activities. Credit facilities especially for hard-hit areas. Provide relief goods and services (Economic dislocation compensation)," Salceda further said. Finally, the veteran solon said he would place security and law enforcement units in charge of the “transport of drinking, domestic waters, transport of fodder, etc.; better communication system especially in response to health and safety issues, and fire prevention education campaign and fire safety inspections".