VICE President Sara Duterte on Monday, Oct. 12, criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s remarks on preparations for the looming El Niño, saying the public could no longer expect anything from his administration. She said the Office of the Vice President (OVP) would focus on educating Filipinos about the weather phenomenon and how to prepare for its effects.
“Wala na tayong maaasahan sa Pangulo (We can no longer expect anything from the president),” Duterte said.
She remarked during a press conference after the OVP’s 91st anniversary celebration. She was asked to comment on Marcos’ suggestion that households prepare containers to collect and store water amid the anticipated dry spell.
Duterte said her office would prioritize public information to help Filipinos understand El Niño and protect their families and livelihoods.
“What I want to say about the El Niño phenomenon that is coming is that the Office of the Vice President will disseminate information and educate the public so they can better understand what El Niño is,” she said.
The OVP will prepare accessible information materials explaining how El Niño could affect daily life, public health, food security, and prices, Duterte said.
The initiative will also provide practical guidance for farmers who may face drought and reduced agricultural production as rainfall declines.
Duterte said the office would translate technical explanations into simple, practical advice that Filipinos could understand and apply.
“We will explain El Niño in more ordinary and simple terms. We will educate our people and provide guides on what they can do to help us all face the El Niño phenomenon,” she said.
Marcos outlines preparations
Duterte’s remarks came a day after Marcos discussed the government’s preparations for the anticipated strong El Niño during a media interview in Singapore on Oct. 11.
The president said the government was preparing measures to keep hospitals operating, maintain medical supplies, safeguard food and water supplies, support farmers and minimize disruptions to students’ education during periods of extreme heat.
Marcos said his initial priority was to ensure that hospitals remained open and had enough medical supplies to deal with illnesses that could emerge during a prolonged dry season.
“We met with everyone involved. I prioritized hospitals to make sure they stay open and have medical supplies, including the appropriate supplies for the diseases that could emerge during a very, very dry season,” he said.
He also discussed measures to collect and treat water, including encouraging households to prepare containers for storage.
“We will teach you how to fill them and provide the treatment products and filters to make the water safe. We will teach you how to treat and filter water properly so you do not get sick and the water remains safe, even for young children,” Marcos said.
The president also said the government was preparing cloud-seeding operations to induce rainfall and directing agencies to develop detailed action plans for El Niño’s expected effects.
The agencies involved include the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, and Presidential Communications Office.
On Oct. 5, Marcos also directed the Department of Agriculture to develop a work plan identifying the expected effects on farmers and fisherfolk and the assistance the government could provide to affected communities.
Proposed interventions include fuel, fertilizer and seed subsidies, transport assistance and support for farmers who may be unable to plant because of insufficient water.
The government has also directed the National Food Authority to increase its palay procurement to strengthen rice buffer stocks ahead of the dry spell.
El Niño risks grow
The government’s preparations come as weather authorities warn that El Niño could intensify in the coming months, increasing the risk of below-normal rainfall, dry spells and drought in some parts of the country.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has warned that the phenomenon could persist into the first half of 2027, raising concerns about water availability, agricultural output, food supplies and extreme heat.
The Department of Agriculture has also stepped up preparations to protect farm production and help farmers and fisherfolk cope with prolonged dry conditions.
While Marcos has outlined several government measures, Duterte said the OVP would focus on ensuring that Filipinos understand the phenomenon and know how to prepare for its effects. DEF