• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
From El Niño to La Niña.
While still going through a drought that has wreaked havoc on agricultural crops, with the damage valued at more than P214 million, as of May 3, the provincial government is now bracing for the rainy season, which starts next month.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) expects a 62 percent chance of the La Niña phenomenon developing from June to August this year.
“I am hoping that there will be rain, but no typhoons,” Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
Based on the advisory issued by the state weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the worst of the high temperatures is over, and that a transition from El Niño to La Niña is coming.
There will be more affected by the La Niña than El Niño, Lacson said.
In typhoons, there will be protocols to follow. What is important is that all Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices in all cities and municipalities should always be alert, the governor said.
Whatever advice is being given to the public, they should follow, especially in the pre-evacuation stage. We can save lives if we do that, Lacson further said.
“We will address it when the time comes, and we are hoping that it is not as bad as PAGASA says”, he added, noting that the province has strong DRRMOs.*
