SEN. Bam Aquino urged Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian to reconvene the Senate’s Protect Committee in preparation for the possible effects of Super El Niño, which could intensify toward the end of 2026 and persist through the first half of 2027.
“May I respectfully request the reconvening of the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee to assess and align government preparations?” Aquino said in a letter to Gatchalian.
Chaired by Gatchalian, the Protect Committee was established in March 2026 to develop a comprehensive national framework for addressing the impact of Middle East conflicts on Philippine oil supplies and the economy.
Aquino said preparations should cover agriculture, food security, water supply, education, health, livelihoods, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and essential services.
He urged the government to ensure sustained assistance to villages and communities vulnerable to water shortages, while calling on the Department of Agriculture to detail measures to protect farmers and fisherfolk and maintain a sufficient, stable, and affordable food supply.
He called on the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to prepare measures to protect students and teachers from extreme heat and ensure learning continuity during possible class disruptions.
The Department of Trade and Industry, he said, should help MSMEs, particularly agri-based enterprises, cope with potential supply disruptions and higher operating costs, while the Department of Information and Communications Technology should ensure the continuity of communications and digital services.
Aquino urged the Department of Science and Technology to provide updated forecasts, early-warning information, and technological solutions to help agencies and local communities prepare for the phenomenon.
