Manila Bulletin
Philippines
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DENR urges early water conservation as El Niño threat looms in PH
Philippines
National
DENR urges early water conservation as El Niño threat looms in PH
DENR urges early water conservation as El Niño threat looms in PH
By Jel Santos
Published Jun 12, 2026 03:06 pm
At A Glance
- According to the DENR, the conservation drive is intended as a practical short-term measure to help secure water for drinking, hospitals, and other essential services while utility providers intensify repair operations and relief efforts for vulnerable sectors.
(MB FILE PHOTO)
As the country faces the possibility of another El Niño event, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday, June 12, urged communities and businesses to adopt water-saving measures early.
On June 9, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that El Niño conditions have emerged in the tropical Pacific after sea surface temperature anomalies reached the +0.5°C threshold in May, signaling a high likelihood of a full-blown event developing in the coming months.
According to the DENR, the conservation drive is intended as a practical short-term measure to help secure water for drinking, hospitals, and other essential services while utility providers intensify repair operations and relief efforts for vulnerable sectors.
“Early action now will help protect our supply for drinking, health care and essential services,” DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said in a statement.
The DENR said that the advisory renews water-saving measures used during the 2023–2024 dry spell and calls on the public to adopt simple conservation habits as part of preparations for the possible onset of El Niño conditions.
Cuna said the measures are designed to be fair, practical, and focused on protecting critical water needs.
The agency urged households to adopt simple water-saving practices, including taking short showers, avoiding unnecessary use of running water, repairing leaks, and reusing greywater for flushing and outdoor cleaning whenever practical and safe.
“Nonessential activities — including car washing, driveway hosing and private pool refilling — were discouraged unless required for health reasons,” it added.
(MB FILE PHOTO)
Per the DENR, local government units (LGUs) will release schedules for water truck deliveries and refill stations in areas with the greatest need, while water utilities will step up pressure management and leak-repair operations to minimize water losses.
The environment department said the advisory prioritizes the use of potable water for drinking, sanitation, and medical facilities.
“We will focus resources where they are most needed,” Secretary Cuna said.
The DENR chief added that allocation criteria and repair schedules will be disclosed to the public to help ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution of water resources.
“Officials also pledged weekly updates on reservoir levels, system performance and relief operations, and asked water agencies and local governments to submit regular reports to the WRMO at [email protected] to support national monitoring,” the agency stated.
In addition to household conservation efforts, the DENR said they will accelerate permit processing for repair projects, require businesses to adopt water conservation plans, and promote rainwater capture for nonpotable uses as part of broader water management measures.
“Targeted assistance will be directed first to hospitals, clinics and low income neighborhoods,” the agency said.
Cuna underscored that small, consistent actions by many households can reduce strain on the system and help preserve public health.
“We are asking communities to work with us. Together, we can protect the water people depend on,” he said.