MORE than 60% of local government units (LGUs) in Davao Region have begun implementing preparedness measures for the anticipated very strong El Niño, as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) demonstrates a filtration system intended to make stored water safer for drinking.
Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region (OCD-Davao) Regional Director Ednar Dayanghirang said about 67 percent of the region’s 49 LGUs had started taking preventive measures as of October 12, including organizing local task forces and preparing contingency plans for the expected effects of prolonged dry conditions.
The regional preparations come amid public debate over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recommendation to collect rainwater in buckets, or balde, as a way to help households prepare for possible water shortages.
The administration has maintained that rainwater collection is one component of a broader preparedness effort that includes water conservation, agricultural assistance, health measures, and coordination among national agencies and local governments.
LGUs urged to prepare contingency plans
Dayanghirang outlined the regional preparations during the Kapehan sa Dabaw forum at SM City Davao on October 12, 2026, emphasizing the need for local governments to assess their communities’ vulnerabilities before the effects of El Niño intensify.
He said OCD-Davao had coordinated with municipalities, provinces, and national government agencies months earlier to review contingency plans and encourage the establishment of El Niño task forces.
The recommended process includes organizing a task force, convening its members, conducting assessments at the barangay level, and preparing contingency plans based on the findings.
These assessments should cover water availability, agricultural production, and the health conditions of residents who may be affected by prolonged heat and limited water supply.
Dayanghirang cited Davao Oriental as an example of how the process was being implemented. He said the province had established an El Niño task force and rolled out its contingency plan the week before the forum.
“So, karon, naa na ta'y daghang report of preparedness measures sa LGU. In fact, taas na ang, murag (So, this time we already have a lot of reported preparedness measures of the LGUs. In fact, it is already high, like) 67 percent of the 49 LGUs sa (of the) region... that they have already started their preventive... preparedness measures,” Dayanghirang said.
However, it does not necessarily mean that all those local governments have completed their plans or secured sufficient water supplies.
Dayanghirang said OCD’s role was to coordinate with local governments, monitor their preparations, and guide local officials as they develop measures suited to their respective communities.
Marcos’ rainwater collection call draws criticisms
The President’s recommendation to collect rainwater in buckets became a subject of public criticism after he urged households to conserve water in preparation for the anticipated El Niño using “balde”.
Criticisms centered on whether the recommendation placed too much responsibility on individual households at a time when the government is expected to provide adequate water infrastructure and a coordinated response to possible shortages.
The Palace has maintained that the recommendation should be understood as part of a wider preparedness effort rather than the government’s sole response.
Dayanghirang backed the President’s recommendation, saying Marcos’ experience as a former governor may have influenced his understanding of the practical challenges faced by local governments during emergencies.
“Akong thinking man gud ngano kaha nasulti ni ni President (What I was thinking was that ‘why did the President recommend that’)? I think, nasulti niya (he recommended that) because he was a former governor. He knows exactly how it is at the local level,” Dayanghirang said.
He said local governments needed sufficient resources to respond to their constituents’ needs and that household preparedness should complement government planning.
However, rainwater collection alone cannot replace reliable water infrastructure, functioning distribution systems, or government assistance for communities facing severe shortages.
The recommendation's usefulness also depends on rainfall availability, suitable collection facilities, and proper water handling.
DSWD demonstrates water filtration system
As part of the national response, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and department officials demonstrated on October 14 how a water filtration kit, described as a “jerry can” or a bucket fitted with a filtration system, works.
During the demonstration, Gatchalian and Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro drank glasses of filtered water to illustrate the system’s intended function.
Gatchalian said the department had provided documentation from the Department of Health (DOH) certifying the device as a medical device and confirming that the filtered output was considered potable drinking water.
“Binigay din po namin sa inyo 'yung certification ng Department of Health that this is considered as a medical device at potable drinking water talaga ang lumalabas sa kanya,” Gatchalian said during the press briefing.
The demonstration is intended to explain how households can collect and treat water rather than rely solely on untreated water from temporary storage containers.
Residents may question storage, water quality
At the household level, collecting rainwater may provide an additional source of water for domestic activities. However, concerns over water quality, mosquito breeding and the suitability of collected rainwater for different purposes remain.
In an interview with SunStar Davao, Marissa Aguanta, 55, a mother of two and a resident of Barangay 19-B, El Rio Subdivision, Davao City, said households could store rainwater in buckets but questioned keeping it for extended periods and using it for drinking.
“Pwede man magtipig og tubig sa balde, pero dili man nato puwedeng permentehon hangtod kanus-a. Lahi man pud ang lasa sa tubig-ulan, mao nga mas maayo nga dili na lang namo imnon (We can store water in buckets, but we cannot keep it there indefinitely. Rainwater also tastes different, so it would be better not to drink it),” she said.
Meanwhile, Grace Bautista, 43, a sari-sari store owner and resident of the same barangay, raised concerns about stagnant water potentially becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes that carry dengue.
“Concern pud namo ang lamok. Kung dili matabunan og tarong ang mga balde nga naay tubig, basin mahimong pamahayan sa mga lamok nga makadala og dengue. Kinahanglan gyud nga siguruhon nga limpyo ug sirado ang sudlanan (We are also concerned about mosquitoes. If buckets containing water are not properly covered, they could become breeding grounds for mosquitoes that carry dengue. We really need to make sure that the containers are clean and tightly covered),” she said.
Government agencies coordinate broader response
The DSWD initiative is one component of a broader interagency response being coordinated by the Marcos administration.
The Presidential Communications Office has identified several agencies involved in preparations, including the Department of Science and Technology-Pagasa, Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration and National Water Resources Board.
The administration has also directed concerned agencies to prepare measures addressing hospital readiness, food and water security, agricultural assistance, and the possible effects of extreme heat on students.
Other measures being considered or implemented include cloud-seeding operations, support for farmers and fisherfolk, and assistance for agricultural communities that may be unable to plant because of insufficient water.
The National Irrigation Administration has been preparing interventions to help farmers cope with reduced water availability, including identifying potential water sources and maintaining irrigation facilities.
These measures address risks beyond household consumption. Prolonged dry conditions can affect crop production, livelihoods, food availability, and the ability of communities to maintain essential services.
The extent of the impact will vary by location, depending on rainfall patterns, available water sources, irrigation coverage and the vulnerability of local industries and households.
Pagasa warns of very strong El Niño
The preparations follow warnings from Pagasa that the ongoing El Niño could intensify in the coming months.
The state weather bureau’s climate outlook indicated that El Niño could strengthen into a very strong event between September and December 2026 and persist through the first half of 2027.
El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall in parts of the country, potentially leading to dry spells and drought. However, above-normal rainfall may still occur when tropical cyclones and other rain-bearing weather systems affect the Philippines.
This means preparedness measures should account for changing conditions rather than assume that all areas will experience continuous dry weather.
Dayanghirang also noted that rainwater harvesting could be useful when rainfall occurs, allowing households to store water for appropriate non-drinking purposes.
The amount available to households will depend on their access to reliable sources, the amount of rainfall received, and their capacity to store water safely.
DCWD urges consumers to conserve water
Meanwhile, the Davao City Water District (DCWD) has advised consumers to prepare for the anticipated effects of El Niño by managing their water consumption and considering supplementary storage.
DCWD spokesperson JC Duhaylungsod said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps forum on October 14 that preparedness should involve both water service providers and consumers.
She said government and utility efforts to maintain sufficient water supply could be undermined if consumers do not take steps to use water efficiently.
Duhaylungsod advised households to prioritize essential water needs, especially if the effects of El Niño become more severe.
She also recommended installing supplementary storage tanks, where financially feasible, and integrating these into household plumbing systems. Such tanks may be filled during periods of lower demand, allowing households to draw from their reserves during peak consumption hours.
For families unable to afford storage tanks, he suggested using covered containers such as buckets and other suitable water-storage vessels.
“Sa katong walay budget, of course, we have to be practical. Dinha musulod 'tong mga storage na tinawag nato balde-balde, mga laton (For those who do not have the budget, of course, we have to be practical. That’s where storage containers, such as buckets and drums, come in),” Duhaylungsod said.
The official stressed the importance of keeping stored water covered and replacing it periodically when it is no longer needed.
Duhaylungsod also encouraged rainwater harvesting for non-potable household uses, explaining that collected rainwater could help reduce dependence on treated water supplies when rainfall is available.
She cautioned that El Niño does not necessarily mean continuous hot and dry weather, as strong rains may still occur.
Local funding, implementation remain crucial
Dayanghirang also highlighted the importance of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) in helping municipalities and provinces finance projects addressing community needs.
He said the fund could support eligible projects related to water supply and health facilities, subject to government rules and spending criteria.
Drawing from his experience as a former barangay captain and municipal councilor, Dayanghirang said local governments needed adequate resources to respond to the needs of their constituents.
He also supported strengthening local government capacity through the devolution of responsibilities, saying national agencies should continue providing technical guidance, setting standards and monitoring implementation.
As of press time, SunStar Davao had attempted to reach the Department of Health-Davao Region for comment on the water-filtration initiative and its role in the mitigation process. The agency had yet to issue a statement and declined an interview, citing its busy schedule. DEF