EL NINO TO HIT 24 PROVINCES, 2 CITIES
Manila, Sept. 27, 1997 - The Department of Agriculture is warning 24 provinces and 2 cities that the El Nino phenomenon will severely affect their food and water supplies.
Agriculture Secretary Salvador Escudero enumerated the areas when he briefed President Fidel Ramos and top economic leaders and government officials this week.
According to Escudero, the prolonged dry speel caused by El Nino will be felt be:
Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sure, La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro Occidental, Northern Palawan, Rizal, Romblon, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga City, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato and General Santos City.
The government has already dispatched several aircraft for cloud-seeding operations in dam sits and farming areas to induce rain and increase water reserves. Emergency teams are also pursuing the completion of irrigation facilities, repair of dikes and installation of additional water wells.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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