RDHComm

Rapid Onset Disasters

Win Sharm Cinco, Patricia Mae Sobreviñas, Vaness Aguila
U2A- AB Communication

Philippine El Niño 2015-2016

The Philippine El Niño event of 2015-2016 was a significant El Niño event that had severe

impacts on the country, particularly on agriculture and water resources. El Niño is a weather

phenomenon that occurs when there is a prolonged warming of the sea surface temperatures in

the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which can lead to droughts, floods, and other extreme

weather events.

During the 2015-2016 El Niño event, the Philippines experienced below-average rainfall and

prolonged drought, particularly in the provinces of Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon. The drought

had a severe impact on agriculture, with crops such as rice, corn, and sugarcane experiencing

significant losses. The fishery sector was also affected, with some fish species declining in catch

due to the warming of the seas.

The El Niño event also caused water scarcity in some areas, with many communities

experiencing water rationing and relying on alternative water sources such as deep wells and

springs. The dry conditions also increased the risk of wildfires and other natural disasters.

Early warning
Early warning is the process of monitoring situations in communities or areas known to be

vulnerable to slow onset hazards. For example, famine early warning may be reflected in such

indicators as drought, livestock sales, or changes in economic conditions. The purposes of early

warning are to enable remedial measures to be initiated and to provide more timely and

effective relief including through disaster preparedness actions.

The El Niño event of 1982-1983 was one of the strongest on record, and it had a significant

impact on the Philippines. Here are some of the early warning actions taken during that time:

The Philippine El Niño event of 2015-2016 was another significant El Niño event that had a

severe impact on the country. Here are some emergency phase actions taken during that time:

A. Declaration of a state of calamity: The Philippine government declared a state of

calamity in several provinces and municipalities affected by the El Niño event, which

allowed for the mobilization of resources to support affected communities.

B. Distribution of relief goods: The government and various non-governmental

organizations distributed relief goods, such as food and water, to affected communities,

particularly those experiencing drought and water scarcity.

C. Provision of financial assistance: The government provided financial assistance to

affected farmers and fisherfolk through various programs, such as the Survival and

Recovery (SURE) program and the Agricultural Insurance Program.

D. Provision of water tankers and pumps: The government and other stakeholders provided

water tankers and pumps to affected communities to ensure a sufficient water supply.
 E. Cloud seeding operations: The government conducted cloud seeding operations to

induce rainfall in areas experiencing drought and water scarcity.

F. Implementation of water conservation measures: The government and other

stakeholders implemented water conservation measures, such as the construction of

rainwater catchments and the promotion of water-saving practices, to reduce water

consumption.

Overall, these emergency phase actions helped to address the immediate needs of affected

communities during the Philippine El Niño event of 2015-2016, although some areas still

experienced significant impacts.

Emergency phase - Trix

The emergency phase is the period during which extraordinary measures have to be taken.

Special emergency procedures and authorities may be applied to support human needs, sustain

livelihoods, and protect property to avoid the onset of disaster. This phase can encompass

pre-disaster, disaster alert, disaster relief and recovery periods. An emergency phase may be

quite extensive, as in a slow onset disaster such as a famine. It can also be relatively

short-lived, as after an earthquake.

The development of the Roadmap to Address the Impacts of El Niño (RAIN-2015) was deemed

successful in 67 provinces in terms of stabilizing food prices and supplies by supporting crop

production in unaffected or mildly affected areas. RAIN accomplished this through several

components, including:
 a. Cash-for-Work- providing temporary employment to distressed/displaced individuals by

participating in preparedness, mitigation, relief, rehabilitation or risk reduction projects

and activities in their respective communities.

b. Food distribution- A three-day food pack distribution (August 22-24, 2016) carried out by

the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) Office of Buenavista with a total

of 2402 identified beneficiaries (Farmers,Laborers and Fisherfolks).

c. Public information- The El Niño Southern Oscillation Alert and Warning System of

PAG-ASA

d. Water system improvements- Under the water augmentation initiatives, 332 units of

pump and engine sets, nine units of diversion dams, 1,816 units of pump irrigation for

open source, and four units of drilling rig were to be given away. The regional field units

also extended the distribution of shallow tube wells to rainfed and upland areas closer to

water tributaries.

e. Seeds and fertilizer distribution- Department of Agriculture’s distribution of fertilizers,

rice, corn, mungbean and assorted vegetable seeds to farmers.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is the action taken after a slow onset disaster where attention must be given to

the issues of resettlement or returnee programmes, particularly for people who have been

displaced for reasons arising out of conflict or economic collapse.

In order to avoid making the same mistakes as the 2015–2016 El Niño, when initiatives were

poorly targeted and underfunded, Assistant Secretary Mercedita Sombilla said relevant

agencies like the DA are needed to improve their coordination with PAGASA. This, she noted,

contributed to massive losses in rice and corn output in Mindanao partly because farmers were

not instructed and aided in early planting and harvesting of crops.Estoperez claims that in order

to prepare for the El Niño, the DA will work with PAGASA and other relevant organizations.He

also claimed that regulating the water supply for agriculture depends on the National Irrigation

Administration (NIA).Meanwhile, President Marcos said the DA has to hurdle structural

challenges and adopt new technology in its operations to enhance farm production in the

Philippines. “So are there any major challenges? Yes, structural. We have to convert the

Department of Agriculture into a high-tech operation because that’s the only way to increase

production. So we have to bring the technology,” the President told reporters in Pili, Camarines

Sur last Thursday.

Sources:

Striking a Balance: Managing El Niño and La Niña in Philippines’ Agriculture - Philippines.

(2019, April 2). Retrieved from
https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/striking-balance-managing-el-ni-o-and-la-ni-philippines-agr
iculture
Distribution of Relief Assistance to Families Affected by El Nino Phenomenon | Municipality of
Buenavista. (2016, August 31). Retrieved from
http://buenavistaguimaras.gov.ph/2016/08/distribution-of-relief-assistance-to-families-affected-by
-el-nino-phenomenon/

Government intensifies efforts to combat El Niño | GOVPH. (2016, April 5). Retrieved from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2016/04/05/govt-intensifies-efforts-combat-el-nino/

Statement of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Emmanuel F. Esguerra on the status of the

Roadmap to Address the Impact of El Niño (RAIN) | NEDA.GOV.PH. (April 5, 2016). Retrieved
from
https://neda.gov.ph/statement-of-socioeconomic-planning-secretary-emmanuel-f-esguerra-on-th
e-status-of-the-roadmap-to-address-the-impact-of-el-nino-rain/

Philippine Star: Philippines Better prepared for El Niño in 2019 | Czeriza Valencia
( January 30 2019). Retrieved from
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/01/30/1889192/philippines-better-prepared-el-nio-2019

Philippine Star: DA Braces for El Niño | Bella Cariaso (March 19 2023). Retrieved from
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/19/2252689/da-braces-el-nio-

National Economic and Development Authority. (2016). Effects of El Niño in the Philippines:
Impacts and response. Retrieved from
https://www.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Effects-of-El-Nino-in-the-Philippines.pdf

Philippine Information Agency. (2016). Philippine government provides assistance to El

Niño-affected farmers, fisherfolks. Retrieved from https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/487146

Philippine News Agency. (2016). Gov't conducts cloud seeding in Mindanao to mitigate El Niño.
Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062981

Rappler. (2016). State of calamity declared in Zamboanga Sibugay due to El Niño. Retrieved
from
https://www.rappler.com/nation/state-calamity-declared-zamboanga-sibugay-el-nino
"NDRRMC Update: SitRep No. 37 re Effects of Typhoon "Pedring"" (September 29, 2011):
https://ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/article/465/SitRep_No._37_re_Effects_of_Typhoon_Pedring.
pdf

"DSWD Assists Typhoon 'Pedring' Survivors" (September 28, 2011):

https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-assists-typhoon-pedring-survivors/
"World Vision Philippines responds to Typhoon Nesat (locally known as Pedring)" (October 6,
2011): https://www.worldvision.org.ph/news/typhoon-nesat-pedring-response/

"Philippine Typhoon: UN agencies provide support to government response" (September 28,

2011):

"Typhoon 'Pedring' (Nesat)" (November 15, 2011):

https://ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/article/523/SitRep_No_94_re_Typhoon_Pedring_15NOV2011
_7AM.pdf

"Government approves P1.6-billion for Typhoon Pedring rehab projects" (May 7, 2012):
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2012/05/07/802417/government-approves-p16-billion-typhoo
n-pedring-rehab-projects

“Briefer of Typhoon Pedring” ( September 27, 2011)

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2011/09/27/briefer-on-typhoon-pedring-september-27-2011/

“DSWD prepares for typhoon Pedring” (September 26, 2011)

https://mirror.officialgazette.gov.ph/2011/09/26/dswd-prepares-for-typhoon-pedring/

“Philippines: Typhoons - Emergency appeal operation update n° 4 (9-month consolidated

update)” (August 3, 2012)
https://www.voanews.com/a/philippines-struggles-to-deliver-aid-after-back-to-back-typhoons-13
0963153/146047.html