People shield themselves from the heat in Manila, April 9, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — There is no need to panic and hoard water as the threat of a historic El Niño looms, Malacañang told the public on Thursday, as it emphasized that the government is ready to mitigate its potential impacts.
This comes in the wake of social media posts of reported hoarding of water buckets and potable water.
“Ang unang-una po kasi, bakit kailangang mag-hoard ng tubig para pang-inom? Hindi po tayo mawawalan ng tubig para mainom. At kung alam ninyo naman ang tubig kapag ito ay bottled water, mayroon din po itong panahon na dapat ito ay i-consume,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
“Mag-ipon man kayo ng tubig ngayon at hindi naman po sa ngayon pa natin nararanasan itong tagtuyot ay hindi siya magkakaroon ng silbi. Papaano ninyo maiipon ‘yung tubig, gagamitin ninyo rin po ‘yan. Nasa tamang panahon po ito,” she said in a press briefing.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the government’s Task Force El Niño are also on top of the preparations, according to Castro.
Through the task force, relevant agencies including the Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration, Department of the Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are coordinating with the Climate Change Commission to discuss climate information, agriculture and food, irrigation, water supply and social protection.
“Hindi po kinakailangang mag-panic katulad ng mga nakikita natin sa mga socmed. Ang kailangan po ng mga kababayan natin ay magprepara, maging ready po. Ito po ang sinasabi sa atin ng ating Pangulo dahil ang climate change ay totoo, nandidito at nararamdaman natin,” she said.
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Castro noted that the government had allotted funds for El Niño response this year and in 2027.
Under the UPLIFT framework, P6.2 billion is set for release to the Department of Agriculture for farmers and fisherfolk affected by El Niño and current energy pressures which includes farm inputs, fertilizer, fuel assistance and other support.
The P39.82 billion of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) for this year can also be tapped for eligible disaster-related requirements including climate-related events.
For 2027, the Executive Department is proposing to increase the NDRRMF to P45.67 billion, which is P5.85 billion higher from 2026.
“This can support not only rehabilitation after disasters, but also pre-disaster activities, relief, reconstruction, repair, and other necessary interventions. Of this amount, P14.67 billion is for LGU disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction,” a statement from the Palace reads.
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The proposed 2027 budget also provides P9.885 billion in Quick Response Funds for frontline agencies “with a mechanism for additional QRF support from the NDRRMF when needed.”
Some P11.18 billion was also proposed for next year for National Food Authority’s rice buffer stocking, P4.5 billion for crop insurance covering around 2.34 million small farmers and fisherfolk, and P46.356 billion for the National Irrigation Administration including P30.437 billion for irrigation restoration and development.
“Preparedness for a possible super El Niño should not be viewed as a single budget item... The goal is to act early, protect food supply and livelihoods, and ensure government can respond quickly if conditions worsen,” it added.
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