Palace: No need to hoard water amid threats of super El Niño

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday told the public that there is no need to hoard potable water as the government is preparing to prevent a water supply shortage amid the possible impact of a super El Niño.

The state weather bureau recently warned that a “very strong El Niño” is likely to emerge between October and December 2026 and may continue until the first half of 2027.

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

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At a briefing, Palace press officer Claire Castro warned that hoarding could fuel fear and panic, while an artificial shortage caused by stockpiling could also drive up prices.

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“Ang unang-una po kasi, bakit kailangang mag-hoard ng tubig para pang-inom? Hindi po tayo mawawalan ng tubig para mainom. At kung alam ninyo naman ang tubig kapag ito ay bottled water, mayroon din po itong panahon na dapat ito ay i-consume,” she said.

READ: Two phases, one crisis: Floods and drought under super El Niño

(First of all, why do you need to hoard water for drinking? We will not run out of drinking water. And as you know, bottled water also has a period within which it should be consumed.)

“So hindi po advisable na kayo ay magtago, mag-hoard ng mga tubig ngayon para iniisip ninyong mawawalan tayo ng tubig na maiinom. Ang sabi nga po natin madalas, taun-taon na po nating nararanasan ang El Niño; mayroon po tayong Task Force El Niño,” the Palace official also said.

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(So, it is not advisable to stockpile or hoard water now out of fear that we will run out of drinking water. As we have often said, we experience El Niño every year, and we have a Task Force El Niño in place.)

Citing previous statements from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that climate change is worsening the effects of the phenomenon, Castro said the public should also prepare alongside the government’s efforts to assist those who may be affected.

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“Handa po ang gobyerno at marami na pong mga programa ang naumpisahan na, pati ang mga ayuda para sa ating mga fisherfolk at mga farmers ay maaayudahan na rin po sila,” she said.

(The government is prepared, and many programs have already been put in place. Assistance will also be provided to our fisherfolk and farmers who may be affected.)

Government agencies concerned are also coordinating with the Climate Change Commission, headed by Marcos, on preparations for the impact of El Niño.

Among the agencies involved are the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration, National Water Resources Board, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“Ang pondo po ay talagang pinaglaanan para po mas magkaroon tayo ng tamang pagprepara dahil nga binabanggit ito na super El Niño,” Castro said. 

(Funding has been allocated to ensure that we are properly prepared, especially since this has been identified as a potential Super El Niño.)

“So, marami na pong mga napag-usapan na gagawin para sa climate information, agriculture and food, irrigation, water supply and social protection. So, makakaasa po kayo na ang gobyerno ay tumatalima sa kanilang tungkulin,” she also said.

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(So, many measures have already been discussed covering climate information, agriculture and food, irrigation, water supply, and social protection. So, you can be assured that the government is fulfilling its responsibilities.) /mr