CEBU CITY — Despite the dry spell, the supply of rice and corn in Central Visayas could last until June, while Metro Cebu is assured of adequate water even if Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD)’s water sources have dipped.

Such assurances were aired by representatives from both Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 7 and the MCWD during the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel here last Tuesday.

In said Forum, DA 7 Chief Agriculturist, Tomasita Cadungog told those present that the effects of El Niño here are not as adverse as experienced by other places in the country where water supply has been reduced and crops badly affected.

She said said since El Niño is only declared over an area without rain for five months, as per the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)’s classification, Central Visayas is considered only “slightly affected” by the phenomenon. An area is also regarded as experiencing a dry spell if no rain falls over it for three months straight.

Cadungog informed the Forum that in Argao in southern Cebu, crops are still growing “vigorously.”

The northern part of the island, however, is feeling slight effects of El Niño with plants turning brown or withering in up to 25 percent of the area. There are also areas moderately experiencing the phenomenon with 26 to 50 percent of their production affected by vegetation turning yellow to brown.

In Region 7, 314 hectares of areas planted with rice are slightly affected while 198 hectares are moderately affected. Of 7,159 hectares planted with corn in the region, 7,309 hectares are slightly affected and 178 hectares moderately affected. In Cebu, 65 hectares are moderately affected.

For his part, Engineer Genaro Mejor, division manager of the MCWD, the water utility firm serving the metropolis, said there will be adequate water despite a “slight” reduction in the supply of water from MCWD’s sources.