KAUSWAGAN, Lanao del Norte — Farmers and residents of Kauswagan may face water shortages and threats to food production when El Niño returns in the first quarter of 2027, prompting the municipality to strengthen its water supply and sustainable farming programs.
Vice Mayor Rommel C. Arnado said the town has long been preparing for El Niño through organic agriculture, water storage and alternative sources of irrigation.
In an interview with reporters on Oct. 12 following the joint State of the Municipality Address and State of the Legislature Address at the Kauswagan International Organic Convention Center in Barangay Tacub, Arnado warned that the expected weather phenomenon could be more intense than ordinary El Niño.
He said the municipality has a model farm and six other farm sites that use surface water, groundwater and water from the Kauswagan Water District to support agriculture and fisheries processing.
The town also has a reservoir with a reported capacity of 40,000 cubic meters. Under its 2027 budget, the municipal government plans to develop six additional sites for groundwater supply.
These measures are intended to help farmers maintain production during prolonged dry periods. However, their effectiveness will depend on available water, the condition of the facilities and how well supplies are managed as drought risks increase.
Solar power to support town services
Kauswagan is also preparing to shift major facilities at its municipal government center to solar power, a project expected to cost ₱30 million from local funds.
Arnado said the system is intended to cover the municipal hall, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office command center, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Municipal Health Office and the planned municipal diagnostic center.
The government was targeting the system's operation by the end of October, pending the arrival of power inverters, he said.
The Kauswagan International Organic Convention Center in Barangay Tacub is also slated for solar power installation.
The project could help reduce the facilities' dependence on conventional electricity, although the municipality has yet to provide details on projected savings, expected power capacity and maintenance costs.
Diagnostic center, livelihood programs
Mayor Sonia A. Arnado said the municipality is also prioritizing healthcare, livelihood and peace-building programs.
A municipal diagnostic center worth ₱6.3 million is under construction and is expected to serve residents of Kauswagan and nearby towns. The mayor said it would be equipped with appropriate facilities and staffed by qualified personnel once completed.
She also pledged to strengthen services at barangay health centers.
For livelihood, the municipality plans to expand opportunities for former Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front combatants affiliated with the From Arms to Farms Foundation Inc., as well as other vulnerable residents.
The programs are intended to help participants rebuild their lives through education, employment and productive livelihood, the mayor said.
Kauswagan, once a conflict-affected town, has pursued peace-building and sustainable development initiatives alongside its agricultural programs.
Military officials, representatives of the MILF and MNLF, foundation members, barangay officials and other stakeholders attended the joint municipal and legislative addresses.
As the country prepares for possible stronger El Niño conditions in 2027, the key test for Kauswagan will be whether its water projects, farming support and public services can protect livelihoods and meet residents' needs during an extended dry spell.
