The recent warning from Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum about the anticipated impact of a strong El Niño, “affecting around 65 provinces with drought and six provinces facing a dry spell by the end of May (of 2024),” is a call for swift and proactive action.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the necessity for “closer collaboration” between the government and the private sector to address the potential consequences of El Niño. 

“I do not mean to frighten anyone… but it is a serious problem. We are familiar with the capabilities of both the private sector and public sector. Put us together and there's much that we can do,” the President said. “Let us continue to work together so that we can provide our people with the best quality services that they truly deserve.” 

In light of El Niño's projected persistence until the second quarter of 2024, Marcos stressed the need to prioritize the repair of water pipes to prevent leakages and complete ongoing water supply projects. He also called for intensified vigilance from concerned government agencies overseeing the construction of water supply facilities, particularly in regions grappling with water scarcity.

“What we need to do is to prepare, further capacitate …so that should the El Niño extend to the second quarter of next year, we are still at the very least able to supply potable water, especially in the urban areas; (and) we are able to supply our agriculture,” he said. “We also have to be thinking about our hospitals. Hospitals cannot operate without water and with the onset of a drought, that will become more important as it goes on.”

Aside from calling on the support of the private sector, the President also reported that the El Niño Task Force has been reorganized, as part of the extensive efforts to ensure food, water, and power security amid the weather phenomenon.

“I have created under the Office of the President a Task Force El Niño. There already exists one… but we will change its structure,” Marcos said. “I think [of] a more serious and a more extensive effort because we really have to get everybody involved to be able to prepare, to make sure we can minimize, alleviate, and adapt to climate change.”

The El Niño Task Force was reconstituted in May this year, in response to the President’s call for a “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-nation” approach to address El Niño. He emphasized the importance of public awareness and education on El Niño, encouraging an info campaign to inform people about the situation. He also called for collective action at the household, farm, and industrial levels, urging citizens to contribute to water conservation efforts.

“I call on the Department of Agriculture, the NIA (National Irrigation Administration) to assess the farmers’ needs to accelerate the construction of irrigation facilities from existing water sources. We must be prepared to address the effects of El Niño,” Marcos said.

This early call for preparedness is a crucial step to mitigate the potential disastrous consequences of El Niño. History has shown that lack of preparation can risk lives, livelihoods, and food security. In an era where technology provides the tools to anticipate challenges and there is enough data to assess the situation accurately, there are no excuses for being unprepared, such as acting “wet behind the ears” when the dry spell starts.