El Niño task force reactivated

The memorandum comes following the projection of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that there is a “75 percent probability” that the El Niño phenomenon will persist from June until August. (Pixabay photo)

The government’s El Niño task force was reactivated earlier this week to address the impacts of the weather phenomenon in the country.

On Tuesday, August 13, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed Memorandum Order (MO) No. 38, reactivating and reconstituting the task force which was formed in 2001. A copy of it was only released on Friday, August 16.

The memorandum came following the projection of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that there is a “75 percent probability” that the El Niño phenomenon will persist from June until August.

“The recurrence of the El Niño phenomenon calls for the implementation of both short and long-term solutions to ensure food, water, and energy security, safeguard livelihoods, and improve the country’s disaster and climate resilience,” the memorandum read.

The director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) will serve as the overall head of the task force. Meanwhile, the Agriculture secretary will act as head for food security, Environment secretary for water security, Energy secretary for energy security, Health secretary for health, and Interior secretary for safety.

Members of the group include secretaries of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of National Defense (DND), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Presidential Communications Operation Office (PCOO), and the director-general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), among others.

The task force was ordered to revise and update the Roadmap for Addressing the Impacts of El Niño (RAIN), which was crafted in 2015, as well as monitor the implementation of short and long-term solutions and programs on food security, water security, energy security, health, and safety.

The memorandum also required the task force to submit a monthly report on the implementation of MO No. 38 to President Rodrigo Duterte through Medialdea.

“The funding requirement for the implementation of this order shall be charged against the existing appropriations of the member agencies of the Task Force,” it added.

The order will take effect immediately.