WE just hope and with God’s mercy, no severe tragedy will occur due to the looming super El Niño phenomenon, but as many say, it’s better to always be prepared than to be caught off guard and end up pitiful in the end.
That’s what the Malabon City government under the stewardship of Mayor Jeannie Sandoval is doing this early as it begins strengthening coordination among local departments, villages, utility providers, and partner agencies as stepped-up preparations for the potential impacts of El Niño, including water scarcity, extreme heat, increased fire risks, and possible disruptions to food supply and livelihoods.
“Through collective action and early preparation, our city will be better prepared to face the possible challenges brought by El Niño,” said Sandoval as she created a task force for the purpose.
The task force has begun assessing water availability, identifying areas vulnerable to supply interruptions, checking public facilities for leaks, promoting responsible water consumption and appropriate water reuse, and preparing emergency water distribution arrangements.
To protect the constituents from extreme heat, the concerned local agencies are expected to coordinate the dissemination of heat advisories, prepare for possible cases of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and identify vulnerable residents who may need assistance.
Food security and livelihood protection were likewise included in the preparations. Targeted food assistance for vulnerable households was also considered should conditions worsen.
Barangay officials were also encouraged to update records of vulnerable residents, identify potential emergency water distribution sites, maintain clear emergency access routes, and strengthen environmental sanitation efforts.
Residents were encouraged to conserve water, observe fire-safety precautions, take care during periods of extreme heat, and follow official advisories from the city and national government.
City Administrator Alex Rosete told Good Riddance that it was important that the responsibilities of each office and partner agency were clear so that the response to the possible effects of El Niño would be orderly and swift.
“The issues shared and recommendations laid out during the meeting should serve as a guide for planning and coordination, to ensure that our measures address the needs of the barangays and our citizens,” Rosete said.
