GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – The Region 12 office of the Department of Agriculture (DA 12) or Southwestern Mindanao has proposed a budget amounting to P20 million for the immediate implementation of various initiatives that would help mitigate the impact of the looming dry spell or El Niño phenomenon on the region’s livestock sector.

Dr. John Pascual, DA 12’s livestock program coordinator, said the proposed funding would mainly be used to combat the possible emergence of various animal diseases during the predicted prolonged dry period that may threaten the area’s farm animals and livestock.

He said they already received reports on the incidence of some animal diseases in several towns of the region due to the erratic weather patterns during the past several weeks.

“The recurring changes in weather conditions from dry to rainy periods made our livestock animals susceptible to some diseases,” Pascual said.

However, he clarified that they have not yet monitored any serious outbreak of livestock diseases in any part of the region.

Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Kidapawan, Cotabato and Tacurong.

The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) of Region 12 earlier noted that the region was among the identified areas in the country that would likely be hit hardest by the El Niño phenomenon.

It said the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani would apparently experience unusually intense dry periods that may last for three to four months.

The DA 12’s livestock division earlier predicted possible losses of at least 46,000 heads from the area’s livestock when the long dry spell would later hit the region.

Pascual said they need to prepare for such scenario to prevent the occurrence of deadly disease outbreaks among farm animals and livestock in the area.

He said among the measures that they are planning to pursue is to conduct massive livestock vaccinations in identified vulnerable areas in Region 12.

Pascual said they are specifically watching for outbreaks of hemorrhagic septicemia, swine cholera, and avian pests that usually thrive during dry periods.