SUMMER in the Philippines is hotter than ever — quite literally.
EL Niño is a climate pattern that occurs when sea surface temperatures (SST) over the Central and Eastern Pacific Oceans warm up and affect air and sea currents. It increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, potentially causing dry spells, droughts, and other adverse environmental effects.
These abnormal weather patterns, exacerbated by climate change, can adversely impact agricultural production and society as a whole.
How vulnerable is Northern Mindanao or the whole of Mindanao to El Niño? It probably has to do with its precinct to the equator, The island of Mindanao is the region most vulnerable to El Niño.
According to the website of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Service Administration (Pagasa), under normal conditions, the prevailing southeasterly trade winds produce a surface current flowing toward the equator along the western South American coast.
The waters leaving the coast are replaced by colder waters from below (upwelling), which are rich in phytoplankton, the food source of anchovy.
The warm current (El Niño) temporarily displaces nutrient-rich upwelling cold water resulting in the heavy harvest of anchovies.
The abundant catch, however, lasted for only a short period. What followed later was a sharp decline in the fish population resulting in lesser catch. At times, warming is exceptionally strong and ruins the anchovy harvest.
In the Philippines, drought/dry spell events are associated with the occurrence of El Niño.
As the El Niño manifestation continues in the Philippines, the need to take more assertive measures is remotely emphasized to help the weather of the country has affected many people, especially with the looming dry season. Its impact could already be felt in other provinces which means that the damage to the agriculture sector is foreseen the worsen in the coming months.
The heightened vulnerability of the agricultural sector has made it imperative for us to recognize the need to collaborate on efficiently adopting a multi-faceted approach to improve our country’s resilience in the face of this challenge. Dry spells and reduced rainfall are major threats not only to the livelihoods of our farmers but also endanger food security.
The Impact of El Niño on Farmers
The impact of El Niño is felt by farmers, especially in the agricultural sector. Some of the impacts are:
Drought- El Niño often causes sea surface temperatures to increase and reduce rainfall in some areas. Prolonged drought can occur as a result of this, causing the availability of water for agriculture to decrease.
Planting Season Disruption- El Niño changes weather patterns and can disrupt the usual planting season. Farmers may experience delays in planting crops, a reduction in planting area, or even crop failure.
Diseases and Pests- Changes in weather conditions due to El Niño can affect the spread of plant diseases and pests. A more favorable environment for some diseases and pests may emerge, which can lead to faster spread and damage to crops and reduced yields.
Decrease in Plant Quality- High temperatures and water shortages due to El Niño can cause a decrease in crop quality. Fruits and vegetables grown in less-than-ideal conditions tend to be smaller, taste less delicious, and have poor overall quality.
Market Instability- Changes in agricultural production due to El Niño can cause market instability. If harvests are reduced or fail, supply can decrease, which can then lead to price increases and an imbalance between supply and demand.
Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has assured the public that the government is intensifying targeted actions to further protect the purchasing power of Filipinos from the effects of El Niño and La Niña on food and energy supplies.
“The Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook is all hands on deck in monitoring weather-related disturbances as well as other external factors and their effects on the prices of essential goods to protect Filipinos’ purchasing power. Mitigating the effects of inflation, especially on our vulnerable sectors, is our top priority,” the finance chief said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that the El Niño weather started in January and is expected to settle down between April and June 2024. Meanwhile, there is a 55% probability of La Niña emerging by June to August 2024.
Despite the ongoing onslaught of El Niño in March, the government managed to keep the inflation rate to 3.7%, within the target band of 2% to 4%, due to vigorous implementation of measures that ensured sufficient imports of key commodities and improved agricultural production.
The slight uptick in March was largely due to a higher price inflation rate (24.4% in March from 23.7% in February) as El Niño affected rice-producing countries in Southeast Asia and export limits in India drove international rice prices higher.
Nevertheless, the food inflation rate was tempered by the slower price increases of eggs and other dairy products (2.3% from 3.5%), fruits (7.9% from 8.7%), bread and other cereals (4.6% from 5.1%), and ready-made food products (4.3% from 4.6%).
A decline in prices was also recorded for fish (-0.9% from 0.7%), vegetables (-2.5% from -11.0%), and sugar (-2.9% from -2.4%).
Non-food inflation, on the other hand, remained steady at 2.4% in March. While there was a slight increase in the prices of transportation, restaurants and accommodation, health, and recreation, this was offset by the continued deceleration of prices of electricity, gas, and other fuels.
Meanwhile, the government has provided farmers with a total of P362.56 million worth of financial assistance through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA).
In addition, the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) allotted P500 million under the Survival and Recovery (Sure) Loan Program to assist 20,000 borrowers, including farmers and fisherfolk, who will be affected by calamities in 2024.
The National Irrigation Administration, for its part, is expanding the distribution of solar-powered irrigation systems to major rice-producing areas to provide stable irrigation, ensure sufficient water supply, and support farmers during the drought season.
How do we protect ourselves from El Niño where it is at its peak?
El Niño in the Philippines isn’t a new tone, but that does not mean we shouldn’t protect ourselves from this climate pattern. If you’re wondering how El Niño can affect us, and how are we prepared for and cope with its effects. As climate change intensifies, its effects likely will worsen and harm livelihoods.
How to Prepare ourselves and cope with it?
First, we have to monitor weather forecasts and advisories
Stay updated with weather forecasts and advisories from news about El Niño in your region. Somehow It will help you make informed decisions and take necessary precautions.
The second is to store enough water and food supplies
Water scarcity can happen during El Niño, so secure yourselves to have enough water in clean containers and stock up on non-perishable food items for adequate food supply during potential disruption.
Thirdly, take care of your physical health
El Niño often causes epidemics of diseases typically occurring during the hot season, such as cholera, chikungunya, and Zika virus.
As such, always drink clean water, get the necessary vaccines, and wear insect repellant to protect and even boost your health and well-being.
Fourth, stay cool and get hydrated
Temperatures get unusually high during El Niño. Stay in well-ventilated spaces to keep your body temperature cool and avoid heat stroke. Stay hydrated throughout the day even if you don’t have the urge to be thirsty.
Fifth is very important, avoid outdoor activities during the hottest hours
Minimize susceptibility to extreme heat by staying in from late morning to early afternoon, as they’re usually the hottest hours of the day. Also, wear protective clothing and sunscreen.
Wearing lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing can also protect you from the sun’s harmful rays when outside.
So, El Niño is already at its peak. Stay hydrated every day, at laging tandaan ang buhay ay weather-weather lang, as Kuya Kim Atienza says.
Source:
*https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/learnings/faqs-and-trivias
*https://www.dof.gov.ph/recto-assures-public-of-govt-intensified-actions-to-further-protect-filipinos-purchasing-power-from-the-effects-of-el-nino-and-la-nina/
*https://rassea.org/2023/10/03/el-nino-impact-on-agriculture-in-southeast-asia/
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