Member-agencies of the reactivated Task Force El Niño gathered at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday, Jan. 23, to unify their efforts in mitigating the impact of the projected prolonged drought in the country.
Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. presided over the meeting in his capacity as chairperson of the Task Force El Niño.
During the meeting, concerned government agencies presented before Teodoro their short, medium, and long-term interventions to address the effects of drought.
Teodoro said that an "El Niño Online Platform" shall be set up by the task force "to provide the public with relevant and timely information to help them plan and respond accordingly."
A dedicated spokesperson shall also be designated to address relevant queries and to disseminate accurate information to the public, he added.
Present were Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. who is designated as the co-chairperson of the task force, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga; Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa, and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan among others.
The task force was reactivated and reconstituted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through the issuance of Executive Order No. 53 effective Jan. 19 to increase the resilience of communities and secure sufficient water supply, food security, and public health and safety. It was in December 2023 when Malacanang initially announced the planned revival of the task force.
The task force is mandated to revise and update the Strategic El Niño National Action Plan, and monitor the implementation of short and long-term solutions and programs identified in it.
Last year, a National Action Plan Framework was crafted to fortify communities against the effects of El Niño by focusing on five key sectors — water supply, agriculture, electricity, health, and public safety, and with corresponding key priority interventions to be implemented by concerned government agencies.
Prior to this, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno expressed worry that the government is "not 100 percent ready" for the prolonged drought.
A strong El Niño is expected to continue this January, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
However, majority of global climate models suggested that El Niño will likely persist until May, the state weather bureau added.
He said that up to 65 provinces in the entire country could suffer from the devastating effects of El Niño.