May 3, 2023

After the state weather bureau PAGASA issued an El Niño alert, forecasting that the phenomenon may emerge in the next three months until the first quarter of 2024, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. issued a memorandum circular enjoining all local chief executives (LCEs) to sustain mitigating efforts in place and to take actions within their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Included in the mitigation efforts are the urgent enactment of ordinances curbing illegal connections and encouraging prudent water usage; allowing water concessionaires and water utilities to conduct emergency leak repairs; lifting of application of number coding schemes with respect to water tankers used by water concessionaires to immediately address water supply needs of affected customers; implementing and updating of existing contingency plans related to El Niño; stockpiling of relief goods (food and non-food items) for immediate relief assistance, among others.

The local chief executives are also tasked to conduct massive information, education, and communication campaigns in communities on checking and immediate fixing of water leaks, maximizing rainwater harvesting and storage; implementation of water conservation measures; setting the temperature of air-conditioning units between 22 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius.

Abalos emphasized that these preparatory steps can alleviate the ill effects of the phenomenon in terms of agriculture, water resources, marine resources, human health, and environment, as a whole.

“Conserving water is one of the key actions needed to be taken to mitigate effects of El Niño and as public servants, we must set an example. These precautionary steps, albeit small, can make a big difference that can affect our communities,” he said.

The memorandum circular also listed down water conservation tips, such as:

1. Turning off faucet while brushing teeth, use a glass instead.
2. Remove all leftover foods before washing the dishes. Wash them using a small basin. Store and reuse the final rinse water to flush toilets.
3. Store and reuse laundry water to clean floors, flush toilets, etc.
4. Water plants early in the morning or late in the afternoon to minimize evaporation
5. Do not hose down your vehicles. Clean it using a washcloth and pail.
6. Use water-efficient gadgets, such as high-pressure, low-volume hoses and showerheads, faucets with aerators and double-flush toilets.

The LCEs are also urged to coordinate with Department of Agriculture regional offices for conduct of cloud seeding operations, implementation of rotational irrigation scheme and water-saving technology; strategizing of areas to be irrigated and reusing wastewater from drainage canals; utilizing solar pump irrigation; adapting drought-resistant and early-maturing seed varieties; and adjusting cropping calendar, among others.

The Bureau of Fire Protection was also told to refrain from unnecessarily drawing water from fire hydrants and limit the same only for purposes of putting out fires.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-Instructs-Local-Chief-Executives-Prepare-and-Mitigate-Adverse-Effects-of-El-Nio/NC-2023-1067