Several catfish in a fishpond in Davao City have died due to water shortage caused by the extreme heat.

A fishpond owner in Barangay Los Amigos, Tugbok District has been working hard to maintain his catfish farm, which supplies his eatery.

However, the lack of water has now become his major challenge.

Since catfish farming depends on clean and sufficient water to produce quality fish, the shortage has become a serious threat to his livelihood.

He said the pond’s water should ideally be changed twice a week, but because of the shortage, this has become difficult.

“Di gyud na siya normal ma’am kay tungod sa kahinay sa tubig karon kay dapat ang color sa fishpond di dapat na siya green kaayo. dapat sa usa ka semana ikaduha ka kailis og tubig karon ang nahitabo cropping cropping tulo ka bulan mangharvest ka,” fishpond owner, Loloy Limbaga, said.

As a result, some of the catfish have died, and his income may drop.

“Ma-pollute na gani ang tubig di naka kailis madisgrasyahan na gyud ka ni na gyud na malikayan,” Limbaga said.

“Mabalaka gyud kay mogamay gud imong income di naman ka kapamuhi og insakto kulang naman ang tubig pugong na lang ka sa pulso,” Limbaga added.

The use of a water pump could have been a solution, but this is also means higher expenses.

“Mapugos gyud ka og gamit sa water pump kulang man ang tubig dugang gyud og gasto dugang kag gasto sa dyes mil sa kuryente kada bulan,” Limbaga said.

PAGASA has already issued an El Niño alert and said there is a high possibility of drought continuing until June.

According to the Office of the Civil Defense-Davao (OCD-11), local government units need to prepare early, especially to assist farmers and fisherfolk who are among those most affected.

“Kinahanglan ready ang government to prepare their funds to support this kind of disaster coming.  Sa Department of Agriculture kahibalo ko naa silay water pumps for agriculture nga magamit sa panahon sa ting-init, I think they are purchasing their pumps,” OCD-11 Director, Ednar Dayanghirang, said.