Manila, April 23 -- The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has called on local government units in Eastern Visayas to prepare for the impact of the El Nino phenomenon.

During the Maghanda Summit at the Leyte Convention Complex, disaster risk reduction and management officers were urged to activate mitigation measures as early signs of below-normal rainfall emerge.

Joan Maghacot, chief meteorological officer of the PAGASA Catbalogan synoptic station, said the region is now just "one percent away" from a full-scale climate advisory.

Maghacot explained that under the agency's monitoring system, an alert is issued once the probability of the phenomenon reaches 70 percent.

"The alert means...