Manila, May 22 -- With a strong El Nino expected to hit the country in the latter part of the year, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) on Friday announced that it has initiated an inter-agency coordination with former rebels (FRs) and FR-led People's Organizations (POs) to help in mitigating its impact on farming communities in Mindanao.

"As we anticipate the possible effects of the El Nino phenomenon, we must ensure that our field offices in Mindanao, especially in non-BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) areas, are fully prepared for any eventuality brought about by the upcoming dry spell," OPAPRU Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said in a statement.

The OPAPRU's efforts ...