ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city government will provide assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the severe dry spell caused by the El Niño here.
MAYOR John Dalipe convenes Task Force El Niño to discuss the city government’s preparations for El Niño. (Photo via Liza Jocson)
A resolution providing aid for them was passed during a meeting of the Task Force El Niño convened by Mayor John Dalipe on Tuesday, April 2, to assess measures being implemented by the different sectors in mitigating the impact of the climate phenomenon here.
At least P27 million in damages have been reported by the agri-fishery sector here due to El Niño.
But these damages were mitigated by early planning and response, said City Agriculturist Arben Magdugo.
City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Elmer Apolinario said cloud seeding is being seriously considered by the city government to augment depleting water supply.
The Zamboanga City Water District reported a 50 percent reduction in water production. Water level at the Pasonanca Dam here is down to 73.88 cubic meters, .32 meters below the normal level of 74.20.
Intermittent rains have not raised the low water level as the heat merely causes the water from the dam to evaporate quickly.
The ZCWD is implementing a water rationing scheme that might even result in a reduction in supply in the coming weeks if the present weather condition continues.
The city government declared a state of calamity in the first week of March due to the severe dry spell.