Gov’t reactivates special task force ahead of El Niño period

MALACANANG announced on Saturday that the Marcos administration has reactivated a task force mandated to take measures to cushion the impact of the anticipated El Niño phenomenon.

Meanwhile, Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles urged the people to continue planting trees to help mitigate the harsh effects of El Niño.

The multi-agency task force will be led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Presidential spokesperson Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

“The team is tasked to implement measures to mitigate the impact of El Niño on the country’s economy, natural resources, environment, climate change, disaster response, and peace and order,” Garafil said.

The reconstitution of the task force, along with the revival of El Niño were in compliance with a presidential directive for a “whole-of-government” and approach to overcome the challenges of El Niño.

Concerned government agencies, in a report to the President, have agreed to continue the existing structure of the El Niño Task Force as stated under Executive Order (EO) No. 16 issued in 2001.

Under EO 16, the task force was mandated to formulate a comprehensive disaster preparedness and rehabilitation plan for El Niño, monitor the implementation of the plan, and conduct a massive public information campaign.

The order also directed all government agencies and local government units to extend full support to the El Niño task force.

Garafil said the current Expanded Roadmap for Addressing the Impact of El Niño (E-RAIN) would also be updated and enhanced.

“An issuance of a resolution indicating the adoption of the existing E-RAIN framework is recommended, and if needed, a creation of a Technical Working Group is also suggested,” she said.

To address the 2015-2016 El Niño episode, the administration of then president Benigno Aquino III crafted RAIN, which focused on ensuring food security, health, energy security, and safety in 67 impacted provinces, plus Metro Manila.

Acting Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez, in his report, emphasized that the reconstituted El Niño team will further improve the E-RAIN, specifically in such critical areas as food security, water security, energy security, health, and public safety.