With the focus being on protecting water, food, and health of the public.
During a press briefing on Monday, October 5, Malacañan Palace and concerner agencies announced the measures being taken by several agencies ahead of the looming El Niño episode.
AGRICULTURE
According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the National Food Authority (NFA) has been directed to buy as much palay as possible during the remaining harvest season.
“Bumibili nang bumibili ang NFA, uubusin ang kanilang pera, para (lang) mapuno iyong ating mga NFA warehouses with the rice,” Laurel said.
The Department of Agriculture is also likewise intensifying production support in areas that still have sufficient water, including additional seeds and fertilizer, while deploying solar irrigation systems and solar pumps to sustain farm production.
“We will be doing cloud seeding to make more water fall down sa mga agri lands natin. But besides that, we are also doubling down on iyong mga interventions doon sa areas ng tubig,” he said.
Laurel elaborated, “Meaning, more intensity sa seeds per hectare, more fertilizer, then hopefully mas marami silang ma-produce doon sa mga areas na may tubig pa para ma-augment kahit paano ang mga areas na walang tubig.”
The DA was also directed to prepare a work plan for farmers and fisherfolk who may be unable to produce during the height of El Niño, such as alternative activities like canal construction and land preparation for the next planting season.
In line with that, the DA using the PHP6.2 billion released under the UPLIFT program to support farmers and fisherfolk affected by El Niño and sustain agricultural production.
“Mayroon kaming request na 45 billion. That actually includes sa UPLIFT iyon, kasama na iyong krisis, kasama na iyong El Niño. And out of the 45 billion ay na-release-san na kami ng 6.2 billion pesos,” he said.
Tiu Laurel also added that the DA expects an additional PHP10 billion for current El Niño interventions, including solar irrigation, solar pumps, solar aerators and additional biofertilizer.
Apart from that, a PHP10-billion allocation has been included in the 2027 budget for the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk program to provide support in anticipation of the effects of El Niño.
Laurel said the government is also maintaining food supply buffers, with the country currently holding about 75 days of rice supply, 125 days of chicken, 170 days of pork, and 90 days of corn.
HEALTH
The Department of Health (DOH) has also been told to intensify its information campaign on the threat of Super El Niño and its possible health effects on communities, confirmed Health Secretary Edwin Mercado.
The agency is said to be going beyond posters and advisories and will mobilize barangay health workers to conduct house-to-house information campaigns.
“Tayo nga po ay inatasan ng Pangulo na gumawa ng mga information campaigns hindi lamang po mga posters kundi to reach out, even magbahay-bahay ang ating barangay health workers upang ipaliwanag iyong mga kailangang gawin para maiwasan ang implikasyon ng El Niño,” said Mercado.
The health department has also reminder the public to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, take regular breaks when working outdoors, and drink six to eight glasses of water daily.
One of the major health risks is heat stroke and dehydration, which is especially concerning to people who spend long hours outdoors.
Likewise, the DOH is also monitoring possible increases in vector-borne and water-borne diseases, including dengue, typhoid, and cholera, with surveillance teams and adequate medicines in place.
WATER CONSERVATION
For its part the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will revive its water conservation campaign according to Secretary Jian Miguel Cuna.
He also urged the public to use water wisely, as the amount of water available will depend in part on how quickly it is used as rainfall is expected to remain below normal in the coming months.
“Kailangan po every individual, lahat ng mamamayan, gawin natin ang part natin by conserving water,” Cuna said.
The DENR chief also called on the public to avoid unnecessary water use, including excessive water use for car washing, cleaning driveways and other non-essential activities.
Households and communities are also told to collect rainwater and reuse water whenever possible, including gray water for gardening and other appropriate uses.
Golf courses are also directed to use recycled water for activities that do not require drinking water.
“Sayang po ang natatapon na tubig,” Secretary Cuna stated.
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) will manage water allocation for drinking, irrigation and power generation. But, the public has been told to start conserving water now.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Concerned government agencies are also directed to intensify public information efforts and ensure the public receives accurate, timely, and science-based information on the expected effects of El Niño from October 2026 to March 2027.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said, “Iniutos din ng Pangulo na paigtingin ang pagbibigay ng impormasyon sa taong-bayan upang maging handa ang lahat at maiwasang lumikha ng artificial panic na siyang ginagamit ngayon ng ibang content creator kahit ito ay walang basehan.”
In preparation for the El Niño, the President met with officials from the DA and DENR, as well as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum also clarified that the declaration of El Niño refers to prevailing conditions in the Pacific Ocean and does not automatically mean that all parts of the Philippines will immediately experience drought or extreme dry conditions.
“El Niño is not about the Philippines, but the condition in the Pacific. So El Niño meaning yung antas ng temperatura ng dagat kumpara sa normal ay masyadong mataas. Pero yung epekto nito dito sa atin, kulang ba ang ulan o hindi, depende na rin doon sa ulan na darating kung gaano karami,” Solidum said.
Coincidentally, PAGASA also announced the end of the southwest monsoon, or habagat, season, which contributed to rainfall in the country in the past few months.
However, officials said the transition in rainfall patterns means the country must remain prepared for possible worsening effects of El Niño in the coming months.
Malacañang, meanwhile, also urged the public to prepare properly for El Niño without resorting to panic buying, assuring communities that government agencies are taking measures to address its potential effects.
