MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday said the government was actively preparing for the projected effects of the super El Niño.
This comes after the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab projected that a total of 6,500 Filipinos would die from heat-related illnesses brought by the super El Niño expected to last until February 2027.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has a mitigation action plan targeted to help farmers cope with reduced water supply during the dry season.
Under the plan, the NIA will use groundwater maps from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to identify potential water sources to support solar-powered pump irrigation systems.
“The government is making intensive preparations. This is in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to concerned government agencies to take all necessary measures to prevent water shortages and severe drought across the country.
“The NIA will also intensify the inventory and maintenance of solar-powered pump irrigation systems, as well as the repair and rehabilitation of older pump irrigation systems, to ensure their continuous operation,” Castro said.
