THE extreme heat brought by El Niño has led to the declaration of a state of calamity in nearly 20 towns across the Philippines.
Various social media accounts and local government pages across the Philippines are sharing numerous reminders due to the intense summer heat.
Some areas have even suspended classes to ensure the safety of students’ health.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), almost 20 towns have declared a state of calamity due to the intense heat. As of April 8, over 115,000 families, totaling more than 551,000 individuals, have been affected by El Niño.
Meanwhile, four regions, 15 provinces, 60 cities or municipalities, and over 900 barangays are grappling with high temperatures.
In the agricultural sector, over 20,000 farmers and fishermen have seen their livelihoods affected by the heat, with over 20,000 hectares of farmland drying up.
In response to the crisis, local governments are intensively monitoring and providing solutions to mitigate the damages caused by El Niño.
Ilocos Sur’s Solar Water Irrigation Pump Project provides significant aid amid El Niño
In Ilocos Sur province, led by Governor Jeremias “Jerry” Singson, the installation of solar water irrigation pumps with desalination is seen as a solution to assist farmers in the area.
Ilocos Sur province views the solar water irrigation pumps as an effective solution to water crops and provide clean drinking water.
Governor Jerry Singson highlighted the positive impact of the project in an exclusive interview with SMNI News, stating that residents are pleased with the availability of clean water for drinking and irrigation, free of charge.
“We’re giving solar water irrigation pumps to each barangay, even the larger ones. If needed, they’ll receive three or four. Now, they have free water, no expenses,” said Gov. Jeremias “Jerry” Singson, Ilocos Sur.
For now, not all towns in the province have implemented this system yet, but the provincial government of Ilocos Sur aims to provide free solar water irrigation to all barangays.
“For each barangay, I’ll provide a solar water irrigation pump. Even the larger barangays, I’ll provide three or four,” Singson added.
