Controlled burning, grass cutting, and cleanup activities will be undertaken to mitigate the increasing grassfires in Bacolod City.
The mitigating measures were discussed at a city government and multi-agency coordination meeting on El Niño and La Niña convened by Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez at his office at the Bacolod City Government Center on Wednesday, April 3.
The mitigation measures were discussed at a city government and multi-agency coordination meeting on El Niño and La Niña preparedness measures convened by Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez at his office at the Bacolod City Government Center on Wednesday, April 3.
On Tuesday 13 fires hit Bacolod, 10 of which were grassfires.
There were also 205 fires reported in March, 130 of which were grassfires.
The participants at the meeting were informed that El Niño is projected to persist until May, and that there is a growing probability of La Niña developing in June-August.
Among the El Niño preparations discussed are the mobilization of water tankers for household water supply and providing free water vouchers to residents faced with shortages.
The Department of Agriculture is also distributing drought-tolerant seeds to address food production concerns.
“Bacolod City is fortifying its resilience against the challenges posed by El Niño”, Benitez said.
“To ensure every household has access, I pledge to mobilize 10 water tankers. Access to water is a basic right, and I will work tirelessly to ensure it is fulfilled for all our residents”, he said.
Among the La Niña preparations discussed were drainage system maintenance, dredging, and cleanup drives to prevent flooding.
Preparedness plans have also been put in place to address potential health issues.*