PAGASA issues La Niña warning
October 5, 2010
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) yesterday advised the public to prepare for above normal rainfall in the last quarter of the year because of the onset of the La Niña phenomenon. Read full story.
El Nino phenomenon destroys 3,059 hectares
April 1, 2010
Manila Bulletin: Lingayen, Pangasinan – A top official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has disclosed that a total of 3,059 hectares of rice field had been damaged by the El Niño phenomenon in the province of Pangasinan. Director Cipriano Santiago, of the DA regional office here, reported that the current status of the agriculture damage in the province was based on the reports by made by municipal and city agriculturists, as validated by their office Santiago was summoned by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) as one of the resource persons from various national agencies to brief its members on the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on the province and share the remedial measures their offices are currently undertaking to mitigate its effects during their regular session. Read full story.
Food security amid climate change
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Business Mirror Opinion: El Niño has returned to the country and with it, the dry spell that cuts down the productivity of our farmlands. El Niño is a cyclical phenomenon of increased temperature in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, which brings drought conditions across Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. This occurs every two to seven years; the El Niño phenomenon of 1997-98 is among the most devastating examples which hit the Philippines. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the temperature will rise by .01 to 1 degree Celsius in various parts of the country. This is expected to last until May or June. Read the full story.
Scientists develop crops to endure climate change
Sunday, 07 February 2010
Manila Bulletin: La Trinidad, Benguet — As the problem of climate change worsens, agriculturists and experts are working very hard to keep up with the challenges that this phenomenon may pose to food supply. University of the Philippines–Los Baños Soil Conservation Technology and Weed Management research team head Dr. Gil Magsino said that several agriculturists and scientists are developing new breed of seeds that can withstand climate change. Magsino said they have developed in partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute, and the International Rice Research Institute, palay or rice seeds that could survive in any condition or weather. The development of crops that could withstand the serious negative effects of climate change is in compliance with the directive of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to all concerned government agencies to include in their programs and projects climate change adoptability and disaster risk management in order to be ready with the future effects of climate change. Read the full story.
El Niño drought feared to cut rice yields
Tuesday, 02 February 2010
Agence France Presse via Philippine Daily Inquirer: Manila — A possible drought caused by the El Niño weather system could slash Philippines rice yields this year, the government warned Tuesday, as Manila prepared to deal with any possible crisis. Government models project 2010 rice harvests would be trimmed by up to 816,312 tons if a severe drought strikes, Agriculture Undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla said. The fall would be equivalent to five percent of last year's entire yield. This would be on top of 449,429 tons reduction in corn, 42,362 tons of fish and other marine catch, and 3.08 million tons of other crops, he said in a statement. Read the full story.
