State Dining Room, Malacañan Palace
April 18, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presided over a sectoral meeting on mitigating the effects of the El Niño phenomenon at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Energy (DOE) presented their respective reports to the Chief Executive.

For the June-July-August 2023 season, there is an 80 percent probability of El Niño, increasing towards the first quarter of 2024. Based on recent conditions, most models agreed to a weak to moderate El Niño until the 1st quarter of 2024.

The monthly rainfall forecast for several provinces across the country was also part of the agenda, as well as the effects of El Niño on health, energy, environment and water reservoir, including agriculture and irrigation.

President Marcos Jr. stressed that a mechanism must already be in place in every government agency since El Niño occurs on a certain period annually across the Philippines, noting that all concerned government agencies must be ready and have a standard procedure for managing and responding to the El Niño phenomenon.

He emphasized that a timeline of water supply projects be provided so the areas that need water the most will be prioritized.

The Chief Executive issued a directive to all concerned government agencies for a public information campaign that will educate the Filipino people on El Niño and raise awareness on the current El Niño situation. The said campaign aims to remind the people to conserve energy, save water and how to prevent the spread of dengue which becomes prevalent during El Niño due to water shortage.

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