DA 6, MPIW bares plans amidst food security and water systems threat
By Manny Regalado Alcalde
The Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas (DA6) through Regional Executive Director Dennis R. Arpia has declared that they have been implementing measures and strategies to meet the threatening food security that may be caused by the impending El Niño in the last quarter of 2026 which may reach out up to the first quarter of the year 2027.
“For us at DA, for as far as El Niño, the dry season, or the lack of irrigation this is considered as a continuing concern that is why we are always ready for any eventuality and have implemented several measures already in the past months,” said Arpia. “For instance, we have started our cloud seeding operations already in some identified areas which need water so our needed agriculture products especially Palay will not be disrupted,” the regional director added.
Arpia also mentioned that with the effects of climate change farmers have forced themselves to adapt with the new strategies in farming and DA is there to provide the necessary technical support. Asked about the needed increase in the buffer stock for rice supply, Arpia said that this was already strategized with the National Food Authority (NFA) and new warehouse facilities were installed in several locations in Panay.
The DA6 Regional Director led the 51st Gawad Saka Awarding Ceremonies which recognized farmers and farmers’ organizations who were given rewards for their outstanding participation in the agricultural sector.
The awardees were the following: For Rice – Serruco Irrigator’s Association, Sara, Iloilo, Lacasan Irrigator’s Association, Leganes, Iloilo, and Mapili Farmer’s Association, Leganes, Iloilo; For Corn – Mr. RexT. Baldestamon, Patnongon, Antique,; For Coconut – Mr. Ramon Rasco, Banga, Aklan; For High Value Crops – Mr. Ed Roderick Canuto, Badiangan, Iloilo and Gerard Camina of Sibunag, Guimaras; For Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture – JPT Ediscape Garden, Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City; For Livestock – Mrs. Concepcion Carillo, Bingawan, Iloilo and Mr. Elmer Amigable of Sibunag, Guimaras; For Fisheries – Mrs. Gina R. Ungsod, San Lorenzo, Guimaras; For Institutions – Ajuy Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, Ajuy, Iloilo; Aklan Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council and Kalibo Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council; For Cross-cutting – Mrs. Reynilda Partida, Carles, Iloilo.
Meanwhile, Metro Pacific Iloilo Water, Inc. (MPIW) is preparing approximately 25 million liters per day (MLD) in additional and recovered water as part of its measures to cushion the potential impact of El Niño on Metro Iloilo’s water supply.
The preparations draw from MPIW’s experience during the 2024 El Niño, when combined water production dropped to a low of approximately 54 MLD, compared with its normal production of around 80.95 MLD.
“We cannot predict exactly how El Niño will affect our water sources, but we can prepare for it. Our focus is to put the necessary measures in place early so we can respond quickly if supply conditions become challenging,” said Angelo David C. Berba, MPIW Chief Operating
Officer.
MPIW is targeting approximately 25 MLD through three key measures: 5 MLD from modular desalination, approximately 10 MLD from pipe replacement and Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction projects, and another 8 to 10 MLD from additional MIB wells.
By the end of 2026, MPIW targets to have an initial 1 MLD from modular desalination online and approximately 6 MLD recovered through NRW reduction projects, while development of additional wells continues.
If supply conditions similar to the 2024 El Niño low were to recur, the full implementation of these measures could help bring available supply to approximately 79 MLD, close to
MPIW’s normal production level.
MPIW currently has 20 water tankers, with 16 additional units available for deployment during El Niño, bringing its potential tanker capacity to 36 units. These are supported by nine (9) tanker refilling stations.
The company will also maintain 24/7 supply monitoring and continuous leak detection and repair to minimize water losses and respond quickly to changing supply conditions. MPIW will continue coordinating with government agencies, local government units, water suppliers, and other stakeholders and will provide regular updates on water supply conditions and the progress of its infrastructure projects.
