THE Negros Occidental provincial government is preparing for the coming El Niño weather phenomenon.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that if Negros Occidental had managed to navigate through El Niño before, then the province would still have a high chance of going through the phenomenon this year.

This is not the first time that the province has experienced a dry spell, he said.

The governor pointed out that a large area of the province is already well irrigated, and he doesn't see any problems as long as the irrigation is unhampered.

He also doesn't see any problems for rice and sugarcane farmers, as the milling season is already closing.

He advised them to finish their harvest and immediately make preparations for next year.

Lacson said that they will be reviewing some assistance options for local farmers.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) confirmed the beginning of the dry season and advised the public to prepare for El Niño, a weather phenomenon characterized by below-normal rainfall that could persist until 2024.

Pagasa said El Niño could begin by the third quarter of 2023, or between July and September, and could last until next year.*