The Philippine Online Chronicles

A study submitted to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) by the Department of Agriculture (DA) has pinpointed at least 143,000 hectares of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) as being in danger of drought and landslides over the next few years due to climate change.

According to the DA’s global information system technical adviser Dr. Esteban Celeste Godilllano, the provinces most susceptible to future landslides are Benguet, Zambales, Nueva Vizcaya, Samar and Pangasinan. He pointed out that this would have a direct impact on the country’s food supply, as well on the government’s poverty alleviation programs.

In addition, a massive drought brought about by climate change is expected to affect 13 million hectares in the entire country, striking not only the mountain province but areas in Mindanao.

Juan Ngalob, NEDA-CAR regional director has underscored the need to address climate change by spreading awareness of it, especially in provincial communities. Local governments, he said, should consider environmental concerns in their local development plans as well as risk management in case of calamities.

Strange weather

Weather watchers have pointed to climate change as being behind the unusual intensity of the recent string of typhoons to strike the country.

The most recent tropical depression, Urduja, has killed four and wounded 13 in several provinces in Mindanao.

Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) executive office Teddy Sabuga-a Jr. connected Urduja to the government’s climate change programs saying, “That is why we have to plant trees. The local government units should mainstream the Disaster Reduction Program to protect their residents.”

He added that although disasters are impossible to avoid, local government units should still strive for zero casualties.