Duterte reactivates El Niño Task Force

The Presidential Task Force has been reactivated to mitigate the impact of the El Niño phenomenon on food, water and energy security, public health, and safety in the country.

The task force, reconstituted by President Duterte under Memorandum Order No. 38, has been mobilized after government data showed El Niño dry phenomenon will likely persist from June until August 2019.

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

Under MO 38, the El Niño task force will be led by the National Economic and Development Authority Director General.

The secretary of Department of Agriculture has been assigned as head for food security, the secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources as head for water security, the secretary of Department of Energy as head for energy security, the secretary of Department of Health as head for health, and the secretary of Department of Interior and Local Government as head for safety.

The members of the task force include the Cabinet Secretaries of national defense, science and technology, social welfare, labor, trade, and presidential communications.

Also part of the team are the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chair, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general, Office of Civil Defense administrator, National Food Authority administrator, National Irrigation Authority administration, and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration administrator.

The President has directed the task force to update the Roadmap for Addressing the Impacts of El Niño (RAIN) and monitor the implementation of programs on the five critical areas, namely: food security, water security, energy security, health, and safety.

The task force may tap other government agencies to extend support to implement the roadmap.

The funding requirement will be sourced from the budget of the agencies of the task force.

The memorandum, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on behalf of the President last August 13, takes effect immediately.