THE different offices of the city government of Davao laid out their preparedness plans for mitigating the effects of the El Niño phenomenon anticipated to develop later this year.

In particular, the offices mainly involved in the mitigation plan are the City Agriculturist Office (Cagro), City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Health Office (CHO), City Engineers Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Office of Barangay Community Affairs.

Alfredo Baloran, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said on May 22 that the offices would prioritize different response plans according to their discussed Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment.

The Cagro and CVO are mainly focusing on food security wherein Cagro is in charge of water sources and creating catchment basins for water funding to secure irrigation for crops in case of droughts, while the CVO is involved in preserving livestock for meat consumption.

“Hopefully, maka-sustain pud ang mga (water) sources (and other preparations) but encourage nato ang mga nga kaigsuonan nga samtang naa tay pag ulan-ulan— they have to plant (Hopefully the water sources and our other preparations would be enough but we also encourage people to plant while there is still rain) (in case of) muabot man ang drought,” Baloran said in an interview.

The CSWDO will also provide assistance to farmers and their families and the CHO will monitor heat-related diseases and illnesses.

Baloran added that part of the action plan involves city-wide monitoring and coordination with other government agencies, provide regular updates in coordination with PAGASA, and give technical assistance to the barangays on possible utilization of disaster funds under the Quick Response Fund.

Davao City is currently experiencing hot and humid weather during the day and heavy rains during the evening due to localized thunderstorms.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), there is an 80 percent probability that El Niño will start around June to July of this year and last until the first quarter of 2024. (ICM)