The Pangasinan Provincial Agriculture Office has proposed around PHP170 million for preparedness and mitigation measures against the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

Provincial agriculturist Dalisay Moya, during the Question Hour of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Monday, said the amount will cover farm machinery, inputs, and other interventions such as funding for a cash-for-work program for agricultural workers to mitigate the ill effects of the phenomenon.

She said they have proposed PHP72 million to the provincial government, PHP81.6 million to the Department of Agriculture (DA), and PHP16 million to other agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Moya said they have already proposed a mitigation plan on the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on farmers and fisherfolk in Pangasinan, specifically in drought-prone rice areas, corn areas, vegetable areas, and aquaculture.

“The general objective of this is to not affect the productivity of our farmers and fisherfolk, not to compromise the food security of the province in particular, and the nation in general,” she said.

Moya said they would also like to minimize the crop losses of farmers, safeguard the fishery sector, and ensure the timely dissemination of weather advisories, provide appropriate technical and agricultural input assistance, and strengthen interagency coordination, damage assessment, contingency planning, and post-El Niño recovery.

Moya said they are identifying and mapping drought-prone, rain-fed, and irrigation-dependent agricultural areas, including farms recovering from water shortages.

She said they are also identifying vulnerable fishponds, hatcheries, fish cages, and other aquaculture facilities with limited water supply or poor water exchange.

“This is very important because when the El Niño phenomenon happens, the temperature, water temperature, and the level of salinity rise. Fish kills are also rampant,” she said.

Moya said they have established early warning and reporting procedures for the possible occurrence of crop pests and diseases, harmful algal blooms, and unusual aquatic events.

“So, this is like an encompassing approach that we will do here. And then, we will facilitate access to applicable government services including insurance of crops,” she said.

Moya said they also included in the proposed budget the cash-for-work program for farmers who may no longer be able to earn their livelihood.

She said a portion of the proposed amount has already been downloaded for preparedness measures such as the purchase of water pumps, while a huge portion still needs funding.

Based on their data gathering, Moya said a drought is projected to impact 37,672 hectares across six provincial districts. Of the total hectarage, 4,048 ha are in District 1, 5,019 ha in District 2, 11,813 ha in District 3, 2,520 ha in District 4, 6,369 ha in District 5, and 7,903 ha in District 6.

“Our farmers who will be affected by this will be around 38,000 farmers. The fisherfolk in our inland fishponds will also be affected. There are around 15,283 fisherfolk,” she said. (PNA)