LEGAZPI CITY, July 9 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) 5 (Bicol) intensified contingency measures to cushion the impact of El Nino on the agricultural sector, aiming to sustain farm production and protect farmers from a prolonged dry spell expected later this year.

During a press conference on Thursday, DA-5 Technical Director for Operations Robella Naldo said the agency's primary concern is to ensure that farmers continue planting despite the heightened risk of water shortages caused by prolonged dry conditions.

To address this, Naldo said, DA-5 is strengthening production-support interventions, coordinating with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to improve irrigation assistance, and preparing additional contingency meas...