GOVT PREPARES STEPS TO FACE EL NINO THREAT

Jakarta, July 31 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Thursday the government has prepared steps to face the threat of El Nino phenomenon that has the potential to cause drought and disrupt food supply.

"As we all know the threat, we must certainly take steps. Don't let it happen," President Yudhoyono said at a teleconference with governors from throughout Indonesia at the State Palace here.
The government had prepared at least 13 steps all parties including regional governments could hopefully take to address the threat, he said.

"With the Bulog (national logistics agency)'s rice stocks reaching 2.6 million tons per July 30, we must take steps to safeguard rice stocks," he said.

The head of state said the government would distribute subsidized rice among 17.5 million poor families in 2010 with each of them receiving 15 kg.

"We will also set aside Rp1 trillion in standby funds," he said.

He asked regional governments across the country to make sure that all dams would function properly in the face of the El Nino-induced drought.

"If there is rain, make sure that the dams can accommodate the rain water. In the future we will build more dams and irrigation networks. We will also prepare more water pumps. I have asked the public works minister to increase the number of water pumps to ensure water supply," he said.

Director for Environment Affairs at the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) Edi Effendi told a seminar in Bandung, West Java, on Tuesday that the impact of El Nino this year would not be as severe as that in 2002.

"But the El Nino phenomenon will surely affect various sectors such as forestry, agriculture, marine and other related sectors," he added.

He said the increase in the sea surface temperature in the central and eastern Pacific as a result of the El Nino phenomenon this year would not have an extreme impact on or cause protracted drought in Indonesia.