MANILA — Malacañang has called on the public to take the threat of the looming dry spell seriously by following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to store water ahead of the anticipated impacts of Super El Niño.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized during a Palace briefing on Tuesday, October 13, that the administration views the threat with utmost gravity as dry conditions are projected to stretch through March next year.
“[H]indi po ito biro. Siniseryoso ng Pangulo ang magaganap at nagaganap na at maaaring mag-worsen sa mga susunod na buwan,” Castro stated, stressing that citizens need to pay close attention to official advisories.
“Ang bawat pagtalakay dito, ang bawat mensahe, ang bawat suggestion, ang bawat mga binibigay na aral sa atin ng gobyerno at ng Pangulo, ito ay dapat na siniseryoso,” she added.
The appeal follows President Marcos’ recent recommendation during a press conference in Singapore, where he suggested that households utilize buckets, or balde, to collect and safely treat water for emergency consumption amid impending supply constraints.
Defending the advice, Castro noted that water stockpiling is a standard emergency preparedness measure practiced globally and is not meant to shift the burden solely onto individual citizens.
”Hindi po ito pagkanya-kanya. Kung ito lang po ang nadinig na patungkol sa balde, ang mas maganda po, umupo sila at makinig. Sit down and listen kung ano ang sinasabi ng Pangulo,” Castro clarified.
As part of government preparations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is currently developing instructional materials to guide families on safe rainwater harvesting, filtering, and water treatment techniques.