TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Agriculture (DA) guarantees that the food supply in the region is sufficient and there will be no price increase on food supplies.

Engr. Maria Luisa Capili, DA-8 head of the institutional development section, said that the department is ready for any threat that they may encounter due to this climate phenomenon.

“Kun magka-ano ano man, ready kita, may-ada kita reserved, amo ini hiya nga buffer stocking and provision of alternate and high value crops or — for the plants that require less water,” she said.

While Eastern Visayas experiences extreme heat, Capili is confident that the whole region would not be affected by the upcoming threat, unlike the other provinces since the region continuously experiences rain.

She also added that the department will be conducting a series of training and orientations for the employees and farmers to be totally prepared for the dry spell caused by the El Nino phenomenon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has announced that the El Niño Southern Oscillation is expected to happen during the 3rd quarter of 2023 until the 1st quarter of 2024.

(TRIXIE ANNE NICOLE CALVO, LNU Student Intern)