THE Davao Oriental provincial government has lined up 283 initiatives to mitigate the effects of a projected very strong El Niño, with measures covering mitigation, preparedness, response, early recovery, and rehabilitation.
Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang convened the Provincial El Niño Task Force and municipal mayors on Oct. 9 at Kanato Hall in Mati City to coordinate local interventions with provincial directives.
During a livestreamed news conference that day, Dayanghirang said the provincial government was working to prepare communities, particularly farmers and other vulnerable groups, for the expected dry conditions.
“We are here to provide updates on the El Niño situation, including the preparations and interventions being undertaken by the provincial task force and our concerned offices,” he said. “We want to ensure that our communities, particularly our farmers and vulnerable sectors, are prepared and properly supported.”
Dayanghirang also said the provincial government was continuing repairs and renovations at government facilities damaged by the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes that struck the province on Oct. 25, 2025.
He said the government was prioritizing critical offices and essential services, particularly hospitals and other health facilities.
“We are working to restore these facilities while ensuring that they remain safe and functional for the people of Davao Oriental,” he said.
Task force sets five priority areas
In a social media post published Oct. 12, the provincial government said the task force operates under Executive Order 64, series of 2026, with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office serving as lead agency and secretariat.
The Provincial Planning and Development Office serves as co-lead and strategic management unit, while the Provincial Information Office handles strategic communications.
The provincial government’s climate outlook projects below-normal rainfall from November 2026 through January 2027, followed by a dry spell in February and March and possible drought by the end of March. The task force has scheduled interventions through June 2027.
Its plan covers five priority areas: food, water, energy, health, and public safety and security.
For food security, the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Department of Agriculture’s Regional Field Office 11 will lead efforts to enroll farmers, fisherfolk, and livestock raisers in the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. insurance program. They will also prepare seeds, fertilizers, and animal feeds and manage agricultural water supplies.
For water security, the provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office will inspect and protect water sources, repair communal water systems and leaks, promote rainwater harvesting, prepare water treatment equipment, and arrange emergency water distribution.
For energy security, the governor’s office, provincial administrator’s office, and Provincial Engineer’s Office will work on backup and solar power systems for hospitals and other vital facilities, maintain fuel reserves, and monitor the power grid with the Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative.
For health security, the Provincial Health Office and the Department of Health’s provincial office will prepare medical supplies, ensure health facilities have backup power and water, and monitor heat-related, water-related, and respiratory illnesses.
For public safety and security, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will oversee fire prevention and response, protect critical facilities, and maintain public order during relief distributions.
P25 million set for water sources
The provincial government is also addressing local water supply problems worsened by ground cracks and drying groundwater wells following the October 2025 earthquakes.
Provincial Engineer’s Office representative Ruel Dumadag outlined a P25-million intervention to tap water sources in river basins.
The province has also deployed a georesistivity machine to help assess potential water sources and formed an Infrastructure Audit Team to inspect water sources and evaluate the structural integrity of municipal buildings. GRS