CDRRMC issues El Nino preparedness measure
Acting Mayor Faustino Olowan signed, May 8, a memorandum of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) to the Summer Capital’s punong barangays on mitigation and preparedness measures for the El Nino phenomenon.
Olowan was also the acting CDRRMC chairman during the time he signed memorandum no. 001, series of 2023.
The CDRRMC measure stated that El Nino increases the likelihood of below normal rainfall conditions that could bring adverse impacts like dry spells and droughts in some areas of the country.
It added, however, that over the western part of the country, above normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest monsoon season (‘Habagat’) may also be expected.
PAGASA has been continuously monitoring the developing El Nino conditions in the tropical Pacific where recent conditions and model forecasts indicate that it may emerge in the coming season (June to August) with an 80 percent probability and may persist until the first quarter of 2024.
The memorandum calls for the activation of all Barangay DRRM Committees to monitor their respective areas of responsibility and with several functions such as to conduct information, education, and communication campaigns; disseminate and implement water conservation tips in their respective barangays.
It also directs the Barangay Committees on Health to coordinate with District Health Centers in the implementation of mitigating measures as recommended by the Department of Health (DOH) to control the health consequences of the unusual drier conditions due to El Nino.
These mitigating measures include: Strengthen disease surveillance and monitoring; safe water and sanitation practices; health and hygiene promotion; continued and easy access to health care and information.
The memorandum orders the regular monitoring and reporting of the manifestation of El Nino to the CDRRM Office (CDRRMO) as the CDRRMC secretariat and that all activities be documented and attached to the final report to be submitted to the CDRRMO for consolidation. – Gaby B. Keith
