THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has deployed early warning systems to help detect forest fires, coral bleaching and water shortages linked to El Niño.
The systems use automated weather stations, satellite data and digital risk maps to help local governments, water managers and field personnel act before severe damage occurs, the DENR said on Tuesday.
“In an era of accelerating climate extremes, timely information saves ecosystems and lives,” Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has warned that the El Niño warm weather pattern could become very strong by the year-end and persist through the first half of 2027, bringing below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry spells, reduced water supplies, and extreme heat to parts of the country.
DENR regional offices have begun using the monitoring systems to address local risks.
In Central Luzon, the agency issued coral bleaching alerts from May to July based on satellite data from Pagasa and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
After waters off Aurora reached Coral Bleaching Alert Level 1, field offices in Aurora, Bataan and Zambales were directed to monitor reefs and report bleaching through the Philippine Coral Reef Bleaching Report Portal.
In Ilocos, a Red Flag Alert System links the DENR with Pagasa and local disaster offices. Ten ranger stations with lookout towers help detect early signs of forest fires.
At the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Caraga, automated weather stations track heat, rainfall and water levels. The data helps generate fire risk maps and guide patrols in vulnerable peatlands.
In Bicol, offices in Catanduanes and Masbate monitor weather data daily to identify areas at risk of drying and support drought advisories and water conservation in farming and coastal communities.
The DENR has also directed regional offices to promote water-efficient practices, monitor indicators of water availability, and prioritize areas experiencing or facing shortages, dry spells and drought.
Field offices must keep weather stations operational, submit weekly reef assessments to the national reporting portal, and use monitoring data to guide local drought preparedness and water conservation.
