MANILA, Sept. 3 (PNA) — A Palace official assured the public on Thursday that the government is studying options on how to deal with the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon.
In a media briefing in Malacañang, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said preparations are being undertaken to ensure that the drought, which the El Niño would bring in the coming months, could be handled.
“Sa ngayon ay pinag-aaralan ang mga opsyon at hindi pa naman talaga pumapasok doon sa kritikal na panahon,” Secretary Coloma said, noting that the effects of the El Niño, such as drought in the country’s food-producing areas, are expected to be felt during the last quarter of the year until the first quarter of 2016.
He also urged the public to save water in anticipation of the dry months.
“Pinaghahandaan ito pero hindi naman kailangang maligalig ang ating mga mamamayan. Kailangang maging handa at magtipid sa paggamit ng tubig dahil nga pumapasok tayo dito sa sitwasyon na maaaring maging matindi ang El Niño,” he said.
Coloma said measures to ensure that the country has enough food supplies are also being discussed.
“Marami pang ibang mga action measures na pinag-aaralan patungkol naman doon sa pagtitiyak na meron tayong sapat na supply ng pagkain at ito ay maaaring makuha ng ating mga mamamayan sa resonableng halaga,” he explained.
The Palace official also assured that there will be no hoarding of food supplies.
“Walang hoarding na magaganap, walang magsasamantala sa sitwasyon na inaasahang maaaring lumubha kapag dumating ang matinding tagtuyot,” he said. (PNA)