MANILA — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) is set to roll out a nationwide public education campaign to help communities understand and prepare for the looming impacts of El Niño, Vice President Sara Duterte announced on Monday, October 12.
Speaking during a press briefing for the agency’s 91st-anniversary celebration, Duterte outlined plans for an initiative that breaks down climate phenomena into accessible terms for everyday citizens. The announcement followed inquiries regarding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier recommendation for households to prepare buckets and water filtration systems.
While choosing not to comment directly on the President’s suggestion, Duterte emphasized the importance of proactive public education concerning health, food security, and community livelihood.
“Ang gusto ko na lang sabihin sa El Niño phenomenon na paparating at dumating na ay yung Office of the Vice President, gagawa po kami ng information dissemination, educating the public para mas maintindihan nila ano ba yung El Niño,” Duterte said.
The planned educational drive aims to address practical concerns, such as fluctuating food prices, community health risks, and crop protection strategies for farmers facing potential drought.
“Ano ba yung epekto niya sa personal ko na buhay, ano yung epekto niya sa komunidad natin, ano yung epekto niya sa pagkain natin, sa presyo ng mga bilihin,” she added.
Duterte stressed that the initiative seeks to foster collaborative community action by equipping families and agricultural workers with concrete mitigation guides.
“Mas lalo namin gagawin ordinaryo at simple yung paliwanag sa El Niño at bigyan namin ng education o mga guide ang ating mga tao kung ano yung pwedeng gawin nila para tulong-tulong tayong lahat sa pagharap ng El Niño phenomenon,” she stated.
Although the OVP has not yet released a definitive timetable or rollout schedule, the campaign intends to bridge knowledge gaps regarding regional weather shifts, water conservation, and agricultural resilience as the country braces for extreme weather conditions.