DOST SEES PROLONGED DRY SPELL
Once La Niña fully sets in, the country would experience more destructive typhoons caused by stronger winds and heavier rains, according to Analiza Solis, head of Pagasa’s climatology and agrometeorology division.
“So these are two things that we need to watch out for in the possible arrival of La Niña—either the typhoons are rain-bearing or will pack stronger winds, especially during the southwest monsoon season,” she said.
However, Solis said they were expecting fewer typhoons making landfall this year, but warned that the lead time to prepare for any typhoon could be shorter as the weather disturbances might form nearer the Philippine landmass.
Solis said that between 13 and 16 typhoons were forecast for 2024, or below the annual average of 19 to 20.
“There is always the possibility of destructive typhoons, not only in terms of strong winds but also potentially heavier rainfall, so that is what we need to prepare for given the combined effects” of the incoming La Niña and the fading El Niño pattern, Solis noted.
Gov’t aid not enough
Meanwhile, the peasant women’s group Amihan on Tuesday called out the government’s response to the El Niño crisis, calling it “useless and criminally neglectful” since the financial aid was too little and generally lacked preparation.
Amihan noted the P1.75 billion worth of damage the dry spell had so far wrought on agriculture.
“Instead of a comprehensive plan from the government and the DA (Department of Agriculture), to think this extreme drought was already forecast last year, only credit assistance has been offered by the government,” Cathy Estavillo, secretary general of Amihan, said in a statement.
The group also found the P3,000 to P5,000 financial aid given to farmers to be too small compared to their expenses which can reach P60,000 per hectare per cropping season.
Iloilo damage
It demanded proper compensation for all the crops that were irreversibly damaged and financial aid for farmers whose fields can still be saved.
In Iloilo province, the damage to crops (mainly rice and corn) and fisheries due to El Niño has been placed at P526.61 million.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the provincial government was considering giving affected farmers some pigs to raise as livestock or alternative crops not requiring much water.
The provincial board now wants to declare a state of calamity so it can access the quick response fund to help farmers, he said.
March 27, 2024 (Wednesday) Wednesday of Holy Week Psalter: Week 2 / (Violet) Responsorial Psalm: Ps 69: 8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34
Lord, in your great love, answer me.
1st Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-9a
The Lord Yahweh has taught me so I speak as his disciple and I know how to sustain the weary.
Morning after morning he wakes me up to hear, to listen like a disciple.
The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear.
I have not rebelled, nor have I withdrawn.
I offered my back to those who strike me, my cheeks to those who pulled my beard; neither did I shield my face from blows, spittle and disgrace.
I have not despaired, for the Lord Yahweh comes to my help. So, like a flint I set my face, knowing that I will not be disgraced.
He who avenges me is near. Who then will accuse me?
Let us confront each other. Who is now my accuser?
Let him approach.
If the Lord Yahweh is my help, who will condemn me? All of them will wear out like cloth; the moth will devour them.
Gospel: Matthew 26: 14-25 Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “How much will you give me if I hand him over to you?” They promised to give him 30 pieces of silver; and from then on, he kept looking for the best way to hand Jesus over to them.
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?” Jesus answered, “Go into the city, to the house of a certain man, and tell him, ‘The Master says: My hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with my disciples in your house.’”
The disciples did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover meal.
When it was evening, Jesus sat at table with the Twelve. While they were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you: one of you will betray me.” They were deeply distressed, and they asked him, one after the other, “You do not mean me, do you, Lord?”
He answered, “The one who dips his bread with me will betray me. The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say he will. But alas for that one who betrays the Son of Man: better for him not to have been born.” Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “You do not mean me, Master, do you?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.
Reflection:
“Envy and selfishness”
Today is Holy Wednesday and we continue our faith journey while trying to break the shackles of selfishness. Today’s Gospel narrates how Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests, asking how much he would get from them if he would hand Jesus over to them. Why would Judas be wanting for more? Evil is present when one is not contented with what is given. Envy is the partner of selfishness. Together, they generate betrayal. How many relationships, to our knowledge, have already been broken because of envy and selfishness? Christians are called to build relationships and not to destroy relationships. Christians are challenged to create a climate of trust and not an atmosphere of betrayal. In these holy days, we are also called to be instruments of healing whenever there is a broken relationship due to betrayal. Betrayal is painful but healing is always a possibility. As the Paschal Triduum is fast approaching, may we be given the grace to truly look inside our deepest core while sincerely asking God to free us from selfishness and envy and heal us of any wound brought about by an experience of betrayal.