THE government has allocated billions of pesos to mitigate the effects of the looming super El Niño, noting that government spending will continue to spur economic growth.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Palace Press Office Claire Castro said that for 2026, P6.2 billion was earmarked for release to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to support farmers and fishermen affected by climate conditions and fuel pressures.
Additionally, P39.83 billion was allocated under the 2026 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) for climate-related events.
For the proposed 2027 budget, P45.67 billion was allocated for the NDRRMF, alongside P9.885 billion for agency Quick Response Funds, P11.18 billion for National Food Authority rice buffer stocking, P4.5 billion for crop insurance and P46.356 billion for the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
Castro said that despite the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) saying that government spending may slow down — particularly on infrastructure — caused by the super El Niño, government spending continues to be a priority.
“The DBM itself has stated that we really need government spending, because low government expenditure impacts our economy. So, this really needs to be prioritized — especially infrastructure,” Castro said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that to boost the economy, the government will increase spending on public works.
The government has also directed different agencies to prepare for the effects of the super El Niño.
Under Executive Order 53, the Task Force El Niño was reactivated to coordinate national action plans to manage climate effects on water, food, energy security and public health.
The task force includes the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-Pagasa), the DA, the NIA, the National Water Resources Board, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“These are just some of the agencies currently meeting to better address the impending super El Niño in our country,” Castro said.
At the same time, Castro warned consumers against panic-buying and hoarding drinking water, assuring the public that necessities will not be scarce.
“What our fellow citizens need to do is prepare — to be ready. There is no need to panic; all that is required is proper preparation,” she said in Filipino.
Castro added that panic-buying poses the primary risk to supply stability.
Prepare now
Sen. Erwin Tulfo urged the government to accelerate preparations for the super El Niño, calling for stronger measures to protect food production, water supplies, the power system and public health from prolonged extreme heat and drought.
In a privilege speech, Tulfo said the government must move beyond warnings and coordination, and implement a clear, adequately funded response before the effects of the climate phenomenon intensify.
He cited DA data showing that agricultural losses had reached P6.87 billion as of Sept. 26, affecting 223,214 farmers.
“If the drought persists, not only will farmers lose their harvests and income, but food prices will also rise — and our poorest countrymen will be the first to suffer the consequences,” Tulfo said.
He said authorities should immediately identify areas most vulnerable to drought, determine appropriate crops, strengthen irrigation systems and ensure that crop insurance, credit and market assistance reach affected farmers.
Tulfo also called for more proactive management of the country’s water resources, warning that water supplies for households, agriculture, industry and power generation are interconnected.
He urged the Senate to expedite legislation creating a Department of Water Resources, saying a dedicated agency was needed to manage the country’s water resources and mitigate the effects of prolonged drought.
The senator also raised concerns over the projected health effects of extreme heat, citing forecasts of heat indices reaching 52 to 55 degrees Celsius by early 2027 and a projection of about 6,500 heat-related fatalities in the Philippines.
He urged the Department of Health to intensify its information campaign down to the barangay level, focusing on the prevention of heatstroke, dehydration and other heat-related illnesses.
Tulfo also appealed to Senate Finance Committee Chairman JV Ejercito to ensure that agencies tasked with addressing the El Niño threat receive adequate funding in the 2027 national budget.
He said the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Environment, Health, Energy and Social Services should coordinate in supporting the executive branch’s preparations.
Probe sought
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, sought a Senate probe into the government’s preparedness for a potentially “supersized” El Niño that could affect the Philippines through 2027.
Estrada filed Senate Resolution 656, urging the Senate to designate a committee to assess government contingency plans, resources and measures to mitigate the effects of the climate phenomenon.
“We should not be caught off guard. The warnings are already there — from our own weather bureau and international experts,” Estrada said.
“What we need now is to ensure that the government is ready to respond, not just on paper but in actual situations,” he added.
Estrada said the Senate inquiry should also determine whether agencies are prepared to implement Republic Act 12287 and other disaster-related laws, including the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act and the Climate Change Act. ALLEN LIMOS, JAVIER JOE ISMAEL AND CATHERINE VALENTE
