Palace urges calm amid extreme El Niño threat

Malacañang has urged Filipinos to prepare for the possible effects of a strengthening El Niño but warned against panic buying and hoarding of bottled water, saying the government is ready to address potential disruptions in water supply.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Thursday that preparations are already underway, including measures to assist farmers and fisherfolk who could be affected by the weather phenomenon.

“Handa ang pamahalaan sa phenomenon na ito dahil kung matatandaan ninyo, noong 2024 ay nagkaroon tayo ng Task Force El Niño. Kumbaga, ang El Niño ay hindi na bago sa Pilipinas,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

While encouraging the public to prepare, Castro said there is no need for excessive measures that could create unnecessary concerns over water availability.

She specifically discouraged consumers from stockpiling bottled water, saying there is currently no reported shortage of drinking water.

“Ang pag-iipon ng tubig, tama naman, pero hindi sa pamamaraan na kailangan mag-hoard ng mga mineral water na mabibili ninyo. Hindi ’yan tamang paghahanda,” Castro said.

Castro warned that panic buying and excessive hoarding could affect supplies and push prices higher.

The National Water Resources Board earlier announced that Metro Manila’s water allocation would be reduced from 52–53 cubic meters per second to 44 cubic meters per second beginning October amid concerns over the possible impact of El Niño.

Castro said the government will continue monitoring conditions and coordinating with agencies concerned with water supply and other potential effects of the weather phenomenon.

“Ang kailangan lang talaga natin ay mag-prepare, at ’yun ang ginagawa ng gobyerno,” Castro said.