The country has sufficient water, power and food supply amid the threat of El Niño, according to the coordinating body tasked to consolidate measures to mitigate the impacts of the phenomenon.

Task Force El Niño spokesperson and Communications Assistant Secretary Joel Villarama gave the assurance on Tuesday, even as he shared that the number of areas to be affected by the El Niño phenomenon has gone down to 41 from the previous 50, based on the latest assessment of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“First off, a bit of good news. Doon sa initial o doon sa last report ng PAGASA, 50 provinces ang affected. Ngayon ay na-reduce na lang to 41,” Villarama said in a Palace press briefing.

He said 14 provinces are currently experiencing drought, 10 provinces experiencing dry spell, and 17 provinces experiencing dry condition.

“Medyo nagkaroon tayo ng relief because obviously, there is still the amihan season so hindi pa kainitan ‘yung nae-experience natin ngayon (We experienced some relief because obviously, there is still amihan season. So we have yet to experience the hottest weather),” Villarama said.

“As reported by the agencies in the task force meeting yesterday, water supply is still sufficient in Metro Manila and provinces; electricity supply is also sufficient; food supply is sufficient,” he added.

Villarama said the regions of Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula are “severely affected” by El Niño, noting that agricultural damage to the two regions has already reached more than PHP150 million.

He, however, assured the public that the government will continue implementing measures to stave off the effects of El Niño, like the ongoing repairs of irrigation systems in affected areas to ensure efficient water supply to crops, and the distribution of farm inputs and implements to farmers, particularly in these two regions.

“The task force is doing all it can to help the farmers affected by the situation,” Villarama said, adding that the coordinating body is ready to provide alternative means of livelihood for farmers that will be greatly affected.

“As the President has emphasized, our approach to El Niño is number one intervention. Number two, mitigation and then we enjoin everyone, it’s a whole of government approach,” Villarama said.

He said the task force is committed to carrying out the President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order of taking proactive steps.

“Basically, the challenge is for the unforeseen events but as I said, as the President mentioned in his speech in Davao last week, under ‘Bagong Pilipinas,’ we try to nip the problem in the bud, not let them catch us off guard,” he said.

He assured the public there is close coordination among member-agencies of the Task Force El Niño to mitigate the impact of the phenomenon.

“The challenge of course is to anticipate based on models what the unforeseen effects,” he said. “In terms of the work of the task force and the government, we are forward looking to mitigate the effects until maybe June to September.”

He said losses in rice and corn due to the El Niño phenomenon amounted to PHP131.24 million and PHP10.04 million, respectively.

Villarama said El Niño may persist until May 2024, while a “neutral” weather phenomenon or “[either] El Niño or La Niña” may be experienced by June the same year. (PNA)