The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has responded decisively to the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon by providing significant aid totaling PHP 487.1 million to regions affected by its adverse effects. This aid package comprises essential supplies such as family food packs, financial assistance, fuel, galvanized sheets, generator sets, and hygiene kits. These resources have been distributed to affected residents in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula, as outlined in the NDRRMC’s latest report.
Furthermore, the agricultural sector has faced substantial damage estimated at PHP 1.23 billion across several key regions, including the Ilocos Region, Cagayan, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula. This has resulted in 29,409 affected farmers and fisherfolk, with an estimated 26,731.4 hectares of crop areas impacted.
In response to these challenges, the El Niño Task Force, led by Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., has taken proactive measures. The task force has directed the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to prioritize fire safety in all public hospitals and health facilities nationwide. This emphasis on fire safety aims to mitigate potential incidents, accidents, and emergencies, particularly in critical healthcare infrastructure, ensuring the safety and well-being of the public amid the El Niño-induced conditions.
