BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO
SIQUIJOR, May 21 (PIA)—The Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) consortium in Siquijor province plans anew advocacy campaigns and some mitigating measures to prepare locals for El Nino effects.
This amid fear on the damage the drought possibly brings to Siquijor province.
Previous reports from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist’s (OPA) said that drought damage to rice, corn and other crops, livestock and fisheries in the past years of El Nino in the province was remarkable.
With the staggering threats it incurred on environment like soil degradation, domestic water supply shortage that cause significant reduction in farm productivity and even health problems, said another report.
With these, local El Nino Task Force is reactivated and planning workshop made Monday (May 19) that identified series of activities in relation to El Nino and Climate Change.
Information caravans to local government units and farmers are scheduled in June including the conduct of a Kapihan sa PIA on forum on “Climate Change Preparedness Program on Agriculture” on May 26.
Mitigating measures to counter El Nino effects on rice, corn, High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), livestock and poultry and on human health were identified.
These include, among others, identification and validation of areas vulnerable to El Nino, inventory of existing water resources, rehabilitation of agri-infra facilities such as irrigation and drainage systems and promotion and provision of drought tolerant seeds and other alternative crops.
According to the Provincial Agricultural Coordinating Officer Bernadith Bunado, Siquijor province is allocated some P4 million for the rehabilitation of agri-infra facilities like communal irrigation system and Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIP).
She said conservative measures to address water supply shortage should be put in place so that establishment of rainwater catchments in every household is strongly encouraged.
FITS chair and Provincial Veterinarian Bernadita Tabada said their office is intensifying measures to counter El Nino through infodrive and other services.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Moreno Tagra also gave perspective of their activities in relation to El Nino and Climate Change.
He said the people’s organizations in the province under its National Greening Program (NGP) have intensified growing of trees both in forest and mangrove areas.
Eco-tourism activities, biodiversity program and sustainable coral reef ecosystem program are also pushed with Maria and Lazi as its priority although all six towns are included, he said.
The DENR, he also said, is encouraging projects that would augment the livelihood of the fisherfolks and eventually make it their business enterprise. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)