By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In a bid to streamline the government’s messaging as it prepares for the impact of super El Niño, various agency heads joined Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro at a press briefing on Monday to sort this out.
Leading the discussion was Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., who shared further information about the effects of super El Niño that may vary across the country.
“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.”
For his part, PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando shared that the agency expects a forecast temperature that would peak at 38.7 degrees Celsius in the coming months, but may reach anywhere between 45-52 degrees Celsius when combined with the relative humidity.
PAGASA also recently announced the end of the southwest monsoon or habagat season, which contributed to rainfall in the country. 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.
On the other hand, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) vowed to revive its water conservation campaign and urged the citizenry to do their part in reducing water wastage.
Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna even discouraged practices such as excessive water use for car washing, cleaning driveways, and other non-essential activities, and instead encouraged collection of rainwater and reuse of water for other appropriate purposes.
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Edwin Mercado wrapped up the discussion by advising the public to take necessary precautions against extreme heat and vector-borne and water-borne diseases.
Meanwhile, all agency heads at the briefing pledged to intensify their respective information campaigns to combat misinformation, allay public fears, and raise awareness about the government’s response to super El Niño.
This was in response to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who wants to ensure that Filipinos receive factual, timely, and science-based information on the phenomenon that will last from October 2026 to March 2027 to prevent panic-buying and hoarding of essential supplies.
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