Malacañan Palace
December 19, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presided over the 15th Cabinet Meeting at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace.

First on the agenda, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. reported on the current status of the El Niño phenomenon in the country, which is expected to be felt strongly this month until January next year.

Based on data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), majority of global climate models suggest that the El Niño will also persist from March up to May 2024, with a possible transition to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)- neutral conditions during the April to June 2024 season.

Further, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. presented the Reactivation and Reconstitution of the El Niño Task Force, where he mentioned various agencies that play a vital role in mitigating the potential effects of El Niño. These include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

In order to reinforce the Administration’s efforts in mitigating the impacts of El Niño, President Marcos Jr. instructed DND Secretary Teodoro to delegate members who will be involved in policymaking tasks. This is to ensure the effective allocation of resources and implementation of strategies to address the challenges posed by El Niño.

To this end, the DND Secretary discussed the intervention updates and ongoing activities of different sectors from DENR (water), DA (food), DOE (energy), DOH (health) and DILG (public safety).

President Marcos Jr. likewise called on different departments to present reports on their respective priority programs. These include the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

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