Ilocos Norte, La Union urge water conservation amid El Niño

The provincial government of Ilocos Norte urged residents to conserve water and adopt rainwater harvesting as part of efforts to prepare for prolonged dry conditions associated with El Niño.

Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos encouraged people to practice simple water-saving measures at home, such as turning off faucets when not in use and watering plants early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

She urged households to install simple rainwater collection systems using drums and gutters to provide an alternative water source for household needs and gardening.

To encourage wider adoption of the practice among younger generations, the provincial government plans to involve schools in rainwater harvesting initiatives.

The governor directed the Provincial Engineering Office to produce a demonstration video showing how to construct a simple rainwater catchment system.

She reminded residents to keep water containers properly covered to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and spreading diseases.

In La Union, solar-powered irrigation projects and climate-smart farming initiatives are being expanded to protect farmers from El Niño impacts.

The National Irrigation Administration-La Union Irrigation Management Office (NIA-LUIMO) turned over two Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Projects (SPIP) to the BC Farmer’s Association in Barangay Bucao, San Gabriel, on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Funded under the Establishment of Groundwater Pump Irrigation Project, the facilities cover a combined service area of about 30 hectares and feature an artificial intelligence-assisted monitoring and fertigation system to improve water management and farm productivity.

NIA-LUIMO said the use of solar energy is expected to sustain irrigation services while reducing farmers’ dependence on diesel- and gasoline-powered pumps.

NIA-LUIMO Division Manager Engineer Cynthia Panit urged the association to ensure that all members benefit equitably from the facilities.

Association president Dexter Bacani welcomed the assistance, saying the projects would help farmers cope with drought and the anticipated impacts of El Niño.

Provincial Board Member Eulogio Clarence Martin P. de Guzman III has called for stronger coordination among stakeholders to protect water resources, public health, and vulnerable sectors.

La Union first district Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V pushed a measure promoting climate-resilient public infrastructure, while the provincial Office of the Agriculturist has begun conducting climate-smart orientation sessions to prepare farmers for possible water shortages from November 2026 through the first half of 2027.

NIA-LUIMO said it continues to coordinate with local government units and national government agencies to address farmers’ irrigation needs and strengthen the province’s agricultural resilience against drought.