The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now planning to develop more water harvesting facilities in new structural development projects to provide a long-term solution to the El Niño phenomenon that constantly hits the country.

DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa emphasized that rainwater harvesting facilities can address the water shortage in the nation.

“Ang rainwater harvesting ay isang makabagong teknolohiya na napatunayang epektibo sa maraming bansa sa pagtugon sa mga isyu sa kakulangan ng tubig, tulad ng sa India kung saan ginagawa nilang lampasan ang mga kakulangan sa tubig sa pamamagitan lamang ng pag-iipon ng tubig-ulan (Rainwater harvesting is an innovative method that has proven helpful in several countries in tackling water scarcity challenges, including India, where capturing rainwater allows them to overcome water shortages),” de Mesa said.

De Mesa also said that El Niño is a recurring natural phenomenon that needs a long-term solution and he believes that rainwater harvesting facilities will greatly mitigate its effects.

“Nangyayari na naman. Kaya dapat tayong maghanda para dito at magkaroon ng solusyon (It is happening again. Hence, we need to ready ourselves and devise a resolution),” he added.

Meanwhile, De Mesa suggested that the local government units could identify where water entrapment facilities could be built.

"If such a thing exists, it could potentially be utilized for agricultural purposes if not for the primary water supply of the consumers," he said.

"So, it will still reduce the resources available for the actual dams," he added, stressing the importance of creating a Department of Water Resources (DWR).

It was in July 2023 when weather agency PAGASA said a "strong El Niño phenomenon is currently in effect in the Tropical Pacific, with its effects expected in the Philippines.