Title: EL NIÑO Phenomenon: A Huge Challenge

At present, 32 provinces in the Philippines are affected by the El Niño phenomenon. The Department of Agriculture said crops worth 4.7 Billion Pesos had been lost in the past 12 months. The rice sector suffered the most damage, the corn and other high value crops sectors also suffered hundreds of millions in production loss.

The supply of adequate and clean drinking water is also threatened because of this dry spell.

What is El Niño? El Niño means the Little Boy, or Christ Child in Spanish. The name was chosen based on the time of year (around December) during which these warm water events tended to occur. It is the “warm phase” of a larger phenomenon called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) which usually happens every 3 to 7 years.

Other consequences of this phenomenon are forest fires, crash in fisheries, health concerns, political and social unrest, and most especially the continuous drop of water level in different water sources which is the huge challenge for the local water districts.

For the Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) lucky enough, water rationing still not the option but only the additional operating hours for pumping stations to boost the reducing water production of the four (4) springs: Anayan, Rumangrap, Kalinisan, and Asupre located at the bosom of Mount Isarog.

These water spring sources are being sustained by the 317-hectare Anayan-Rumangrap
Watershed at Barangay Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur and the 356-hectare Asupre-Nabuntulan Watershed at Panicuason, Naga City, through the Watershed Management and Protection of Mt. Isarog Natural Park.

Symposia, agreements with regulatory and partner agencies, stakeholders were conducted to encourage a one mission, one goal objective for a sustainable water supply such as tree planting activities, “Adopt a Site” project at watershed, and many others.

Massive information dissemination using all media tools are being used to awaken and enhance public awareness like but not limited to water saving tips, public service announcements, campaign ads lessened the impact and effects of El Niño to the one of the basic human needs — Clean Water.

Also, to cope with the high demand in water, the district created a special team focusing on water source exploration purposely to supplement the existing water supply last January this year.

These endeavors will not be successful without the support of the constituents, from young ones to grandparents, from all walks of life. Participate and be involved as the quote by Henry Ford says, “Coming Together is a Beginning; Keeping Together is Progress; Working Together is Success.”

Call us anytime 24/7 at contact numbers (054)473-2040 / 473-8438, Trunk line No. 473-7813 and cellular phone numbers 0919-6486365 / 09274631859.

Save Water, Save the Watersheds for Clean Water Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond.