Malacañang on Wednesday assured that the government is already carrying out several measures to address the possible effects of the La Niña weather phenomenon, which is expected to hit the country this year.

“As part of its overall strategy on climate change resiliency, government is implementing a comprehensive program on mitigating the harmful effects of the possible onset of the La Nina scenario,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement.

“This covers agriculture, flood control and disaster risk reduction measures at the grassroots level.”

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned the public of the possibility of a La Niña event occurring later this year, after El Niño ends.

La Niña, the opposite of El Niño, is characterized by above normal rainfall, strong monsoon activity, and the formation of more tropical cyclones.

According to PAGASA, a strong El Niño is usually followed by an equally strong La Niña. Although El Niño is waning, PAGASA said it would continue to cause below normal rainfall and warmer air temperatures in the country in the next several months.

From 1997 to 1998, the country experienced a strong El Niño, which was followed by a La Niña in 1999 when many parts of the country experienced intense rainfall and flooding. PND (as)