By Danilo P. Padua, PhD
Expect dry spell in all CAR provinces except Abra, after Dec. 2023 up to May, 2024. This is the foreboding forecast of PAG-ASA end of last month.
What can we do about this in the Cordillera, especially in Benguet?
In the same forecast, there will be 7 provinces under the dry condition, 20 provinces, mostly in North-Central Luzon, under dry spell and 3 (Batangas, Cavite and Mindoro Oriental) under the drought condition, the most severe type of water scarcity.
So after unprecedented flooding of many parts in the entire Philippines this year, we will be entertained, whether we like it or not, by a dry spell and drought up to the first half of next year. That is an entertainment that does not really entertain.
But we will be spellbound, in an irritating way.
When I was studying in Europe in the middle 1990’s the continent was experiencing their hottest years so far by that time. Many died, mostly the elderly and those with medical conditions.
A decade later, I was a visiting scientist at the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad, India. I stayed there from Jan-June, 2008. Temperatures then in some parts of that incredible country rose to as high as 53-54 degrees Celsius. Many died, again mostly the elderly and those with medical conditions. I was lucky to be in that agricultural institute working in air-conditioned rooms when temperatures were going berserk, getting out only early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
They blame the upsurge of temperatures to climate change, a topic that President BBM almost always talk about in his international audience addresses .
Let me share to you what PAGASA taught me regarding the terms used when scanty rains are the order of the day. We have three classes: dry, dry spell, and drought. Dry is when it is not a wet season, and the little rain dropping during that time is just normal for the period. Dry spell occurs when those little rains fall even below the normal for three consecutive months. Drought is the condition when there is more than 60% reduction of rains in three consecutive months-brought about by the El Nino phenomenon.
I shared that because I, myself, didn’t know the distinction before.
With that, we can see now clearly see what will befall Cordillera provinces up to May, 2024. Vegetable production in our region will surely be affected, at least for the first half of next year. Rice and corn production will be similarly in jeopardy.
Water supply flowing through water district pipes definitely will be in various degrees of restrictions. That means, our beloved ornamentals will be begging for a bit more water to sustain their well-being and luster. The animals too, whether they are commercially raised or house pets.
And of course, we have less water to waste in our bathing or washing clothes.
When we hear of an incoming low pressure area between now and May next year, we must not fret but rejoice and hope that it will pass by our region or respective provinces.
Let’s help ourselves, and others, by conserving water in our activities involving use of water. I am taking liberty this time to provide some tips like a beauty expert (which I am not)to conserve water.
Here are a few suggestions for the purpose:
If we are using tubs when we take a bath, our tendency is to empty the tubs as fast as we could, especially when we are in a hurry-wasting so much water in the process. We should pour the tub’s content slowly, and trying to wet our bodies with as little water as we can. Lather our bodies with our favourite soap then rinse, again slowly pouring water in our bodies. I was talking to a nurse deployed in the Middle East. She related to me that they were restricted to use only a definite small amount of water when they bath. She and her Pinay colleagues found it hard at the beginning but they got used to it in so short a time.
You will be surprised at the end that you not only conserved water but also lessened your water bill.
In many cases, if we are in a dorm, we do not care whether water is wasted or not since we are not individually paying for the water consumption. We even think of getting even with an inconsiderate landlord. That, definitely, does not justify wanton use of water even if it is in abundant supply-yet. We will feel the effect when water supply will become so scarce, that we have no more access to sufficient supply of the commodity. Besides, good attitude should be a consideration.
Maybe, we can cut down on our usual mode or frequency of bathing.
We should water our ornamental plants also less frequently, providing water only as we see signs of need. Pinpoint watering should help conserve water.
Oh, I have several more in mind but I don’t feel like continuing this kind of tipping at this time, so I stop at that.
We just prepare and find ways to mitigate its possible effect on us with less complaints or murmurings.
Climate change should alarm all of us. Who knows, our place could be the next to be flooded (or scorched) in proportion unheard of before.
Benguet farmer associations/cooperatives should choose to plant shorter duration crops, or those that are more tolerant to drought stress. It would be appropriate to employ some measures to conserve available water at the moment for use in the months ahead. Plan now on how to distribute water to farmers to avoid unnecessary frictions in the coming months.
We should brace for possible spikes of agricultural commodity prices during the period of greatly diminished water supply since those areas affected are our main rice, corn, and vegetable growing areas in the country.
More importantly, our concerned national and regional agencies should come up with quick mitigating measures to prevent or at least temper the possible harsh effects of the coming dry spell and drought.**
