Malacañang Assures Food Supply during El Niño

Malacañang assured on Sunday that there are enough measures to ensure food security in the country amid the threat brought about by El Niño effect.

Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Heminio Coloma, Jr., said that food security is one of the priorities of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“Kaya kapag tinunghayan po natin ang kanilang budget sa General Appropriations Act of 2015, makikita po nating nakahanay doon ang mga kongkretong programa sa pagtiyak na magkakaroon tayo ng sapat na pagkain,” said Coloma in a press briefing aired on Sunday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

He said that the DA considered and anticipated the natural calamities that may hit the country.

“Isa na po diyan ‘yung pag-diversify ng ating mga supply kung sakaling tamaan ng bagyo o kalamidad ang isang lugar na hindi naman mawa-wipe out o mawawala ang ating inaasahang panggagalingan ng pagkain sapagkat nakapaghanda naman po sa pamamagitan ng pagtatanim sa iba’t ibang lugar ng ating bansa,” Coloma explained.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration – Department of Science and Technology (PAGASA-DOST) warned that the country may feel the effects of El Niño by June and will last until the first quarter of next year.

The El Niño phenomenon is an anomalous warming of the ocean water temperature that affects the countries surrounding the Pacific Ocean. This condition brings drought and triggers abnormal weather patterns.