The Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) in Bohol is bracing for an escalation in agricultural damage as the El Niño weather phenomenon continues to wreak havoc.
As of April 12, 2024, only eight out of 47 towns and one city in Bohol have reported damages, with the total already reaching a staggering P31 million, according to OPA Chief Liza Migriño-Quirog.
The El Niño phenomenon has taken a severe toll on the province’s agricultural sector, affecting not just rice fields but also corn and vegetable crops, as well as livestock.
OPA has been proactive in implementing several interventions, including cloud seeding operations, to induce rainfall in parched areas such as rice fields.
Quirog disclosed these details during the Capitol report on April 12, 2024.
She also revealed that Bohol has received funding for cloud seeding operations from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soil and Water Management (DA-BSWM).
“We anticipate P7 million worth of cloud seeding to replenish the water supply in our dams,” Quirog said.
This comes as a response to several reports indicating a decline in the water level in major dams in Bohol, a development that has sparked significant concern among those in the agricultural sector.
In addition to cloud seeding, OPA has rolled out various interventions for vegetable farmers.
Quirog’s office plans to distribute water pumps, drums, and hoses to 402 people’s organizations.
These efforts underscore the OPA’s commitment to mitigating the impact of the El Niño phenomenon on Bohol’s agricultural community.
Heatwave expected to last until July, warns PDRRMO
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has warned that the current heatwave, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, could persist until July, according to PDRRMO Chief Dr. Anthony Damalerio during the April 12, 2024 episode of Capitol Reports.
The heat index, a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature, has been causing significant concern. The high temperatures and humidity can lead to health issues such as heat stroke.
Despite the challenging conditions, Dr. Damalerio expressed hope that a state of calamity would not need to be declared, as the government has been implementing interventions to manage the situation. A task force has been established by the provincial government to mitigate the effects of the extreme weather.
The El Niño phenomenon is affecting the entire country. In 2016, when Bohol also experienced El Niño, no classes were suspended.
However, in 2024, face-to-face classes have been suspended in some areas, with blended learning modalities being implemented instead.
There have been reports of students suffering from nosebleeds due to the high temperatures in classrooms.
With face-to-face classes suspended, many students have been spending time outdoors, flying kites or swimming at the beach, which exposes them to direct sunlight.
The heat index in some parts of Bohol is reportedly worse than in Tagbilaran City, leading to increased calls for class suspensions and greater access to drinking water.
Furthermore, water levels at the Malinao and Capayas Dams have declined to critical levels, according to Dr. Damalerio.