MANILA, Philippines – Despite consecutive days of rain, state weather bureau PAGASA said it is not time yet to declare the onset of the rainy season.
PAGASA explained it is expecting the arrival of the southwest monsoon or habagat in the second week of June.
That is the time when PAGASA most likely will declare the official start of the rainy season.
“Itong mga pag-ulan natin sa hapon hanggang sa madaling araw indikasyon naman ito na papalapit na talaga tayo sa tagulan o yung tinatawag na transition period or yung pagitan ng tagaraw at saka tagulan,” PAGASA Weather Specialist Benezon Estareja said.
(These afternoon rain showers up to early dawn are indications that we are nearing the rainy season. We are in what we call the transition period or the season in between dry and rainy seasons.)
In line with this, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has started de-clogging esteros to prevent extreme flooding in major cities in Metro Manila.
Aside from the drainage along East Avenue in Quezon City, the MMDA also checked on drainage along Araneta Avenue which heavily submerges in floodwater every time the San Juan river overflows its banks.
“Kasama iyan sa World Bank Project, iyong construction ng dike diyan tapos construction ng additional pumping stations,” explained MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office Director Baltazar Melgar.
Baltazar assured that all 62 pumping stations in Metro Manila are set to drain floodwater when heavy rains pour.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), meanwhile, is also preparing programs to assist farmers who will be affected by the rainy season.
“Naka-preposition na ang mga binhi natin (at) ready for release. In fact, ang iba (ay) naka-release na nga ng mga binhi,” Secretary Manny Piñol said.
According to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), around 200,000 hectares of farmland in the country await cropping season in June which is expected to increase further to 800,000 hectares in the coming months. —(with details from Rey Pelayo) Marje Pelayo
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