Malacañang announced that the national government is intensifying its readiness strategy to mitigate the potential effects of a severe El Niño, centering its efforts on food, water, power, and healthcare stability.
During a press briefing on Monday, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro revealed that an El Niño Action Plan was mapped out in a high-level meeting just prior to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official departure for Japan.
“Noong nakaraang linggo po, bago po pumunta ang Pangulo sa Japan, ay nagkaroon po ng meeting para po dito sa El Niño Action Plan. Ang purpose po nito ay unang-una for water security, food security, energy security, health protection, and public safety,” Castro said.
The comprehensive strategy mobilizes the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
These bodies are tasked with reviving the national El Niño task group, pinpointing high-risk drought zones, upgrading irrigation infrastructure, and introducing climate-adaptive agricultural practices.
“Reactivate the DA National El Niño Team, map drought-prone areas, provide crop measures through PCIC, repair and rehabilitate irrigation and water harvesting systems, promote alternate wetting and drying technology,” she said.
To protect the domestic water supply, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), and related offices will enforce conservation protocols, manage reservoirs, and distribute water treatment equipment.
On the medical front, the Department of Health (DOH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and local health offices are set to step up surveillance of heat stress, dehydration, and waterborne outbreaks while stocking up on essential medicines.
Concurrently, the Department of Energy (DOE), National Power Corporation (NPC), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and National Electrification Administration (NEA) are directed to keep electricity and fuel lines stable, especially for vital infrastructure.
With experts predicting El Niño could emerge between late June and July, officials stressed that proactive measures are crucial.
Castro clarified that the administration is not establishing a standalone task force, choosing instead to sync and reactivate existing government units.
“Sa ngayon po ay walang nababanggit kung magkaroon ng task force dahil sa pamamagitan po ng pag-meeting na ito ay nakita po natin kung paano i-reactivate po ang mga agencies natin para matugunan po ang impact ng El Niño,” she said.