Senators to gov’t agencies: Step up preparations for ‘Super El Nino’

MANILA, Philippines — Senators have urged government agencies to step up preparations for the possible impacts of “Super El Niño.”

“Government agencies should step up information drive, proper information dissemination so that people are prepared and know what the government’s steps are ahead of the El Niño,” said Sen. Francis Pangilinan in an interview with radio DWIZ

He also emphasized the government’s readiness to protect the agriculture sector and ensure the country’s food supply ahead of El Niño, which is forecast to worsen and persist until early next year.

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Pangilinan earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 515 directing the Senate agriculture committee, which he chairs, to determine whether the budgets and contingency plans of key government agencies were sufficient and ready for the weather phenomenon.

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READ: ‘Very strong El Niño’ to persist in PH until early 2027 – Pagasa

Sen. Bam Aquino earlier called on Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian to reconvene the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee to ensure a coordinated, whole-of-government approach in preparing for the possible impacts of “Super El Niño.”

“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.

The Protect Committee, chaired by Gatchalian, was formed in March 2026 by the Senate to formulate a comprehensive national framework addressing the impacts of conflicts in the Middle East on the Philippine oil supply and economy.

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Aquino stressed the urgent need for government agencies to coordinate their preparations and response efforts and put concrete measures in place to protect Filipinos from the potential effects of Super El Niño, particularly in livelihood, education, agriculture, health, food security, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and essential services.

By bringing concerned agencies together through the Protect Committee, Aquino said potential gaps in the government’s preparedness can be quickly identified and addressed, helping ensure that necessary interventions, resources, and contingency measures are in place. /mr