How to Prepare for El Niño in the Philippines

October 12, 2026 5 Min Read

A strong El Niño is active in the tropical Pacific. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports 106 cities and municipalities under a state of calamity.

PAGASA’s Sept. 23 advisory says the El Niño is expected to intensify into a very strong event between September and December 2026 and last through the first half of 2027. It generally brings warmer temperatures and below-normal rainfall across most of the country. Prolonged rainfall deficits raise the risk of dry spells and drought, which can affect food security, water resources, energy production, public health and the economy.

The numbers behind the warning

The NDRRMC’s latest report lists 428,687 affected people from 115,246 families. The Department of Agriculture’s first bulletin, issued Sept. 26, counts P6.87 billion in agricultural damage, while other reports put it above P5.4 billion. Inflation was 7.2% in September, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said on Oct. 9, “These days, the scenario that we care about the most is El Niño.”

Rain will still fall unevenly. PAGASA says the Southwest Monsoon and active tropical cyclones may bring localized above-normal rainfall, particularly in the western Philippines. Central Visayas recorded 52% less rainfall in September, according to PAGASA’s assessment.

Office of Civil Defense Administrator Harold Cabreros asked the public on Oct. 5 to cooperate with agencies in conserving water and energy.

Start with water

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) reduced Metro Manila’s allocation from Angat Dam to 44 cubic meters per second. The usual allocation is 50 cubic meters per second or more (reports give the upper figure as 52 or 53). NWRB calls the cut precautionary and expects no major interruptions. Households can still cut their own use.

Read your water meter late at night and again early in the morning. An earlier advisory from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) says leaks can account for 15 to 40 percent of monthly water use, and finding them can save 500 to 1,000 liters.
Take short showers and avoid letting water run unnecessarily.
Use a pail and dipper (tabo) instead of a hose for washing cars, cleaning driveways and watering lawns.
Reuse greywater, including water from washing machines and showers, for flushing and outdoor cleaning when practical and safe.
Collect rainwater during habagat rains and use it for nonpotable needs.
Keep drinking water safe. The Department of Health (DOH) says it should come from clean sources, and containers should be covered.
Find out whether community wells or springs exist near you.
Skip stockpiling bottled water. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro warned in an Oct. 1 report that panic buying can create artificial shortages and push prices up.

Cut the power load

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin of the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Oct. 6 that rising temperatures will drive up electricity use and strain supply. Reports on her remarks say lower water levels could cut hydroelectric output, and heat could reduce coal plant efficiency and raise the risk of outages. Philstar reports that Filipinos could face higher power bills. Garin urged the public to adopt energy-saving habits now: “It’s better to be over prepared for this problem.”

Switch off unused lights and use LED bulbs. With power bills expected to rise, using less electricity is the most direct way to keep your own bill down, and turning off a light costs nothing.
Unplug unnecessary appliances during peak hours.
Iron clothes during off-peak hours.
Set air conditioners properly. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) asks local governments to set theirs at 24°C and asks households to save electricity during peak hours.
Consider rooftop solar. The DOE has encouraged households and businesses to install it to power their own use or export electricity to the grid.
Keep kites away from transmission lines. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines says contact can trip a line and disrupt service.

The LED, appliance, ironing and rooftop solar tips come from an earlier DOE statement.

Plan for pricier food and power

The BSP earlier named rice, vegetables, fruit and fish as the products where price pressure is likely. Scenario figures reported with the governor’s remarks say a severe El Niño could raise domestic rice prices by about 40% and corn prices by about 25% over 12 months. In its August policy report, the BSP forecast 6.1% inflation for 2026 and 5.4% for 2027 against a 2% to 4% target. The Monetary Board has raised its policy rate three times this year, and another increase is possible at its Oct. 22 meeting.

The Department of Agriculture has warned that a strong El Niño could cut national rice production by as much as 700,000 metric tons. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. says the government is setting aside P45 billion for its El Niño response, with P6.2 billion already released. Imports are possible if needed. Households can help by not panic buying, which Castro said can create artificial shortages and push prices up.

If you farm, fish or run a business

Farmers are advised to adjust cropping schedules and maintain irrigation systems. The Department of Agriculture is distributing drought-tolerant seeds, promoting Alternate Wetting and Drying and Quick Turn Around planting, and planning crop insurance payouts and emergency aid for vulnerable farmers. Fish farmers are advised not to overstock ponds, since heat can kill fish. The P45 billion response also covers aid for fisherfolk and agricultural truckers facing higher production and transport costs, plus solar-powered irrigation, pumps and reservoirs.

The DENR says it will require businesses to adopt water conservation plans.

Protect your health

Health Secretary Edwin Mercado has said heat stroke, dengue, cholera and typhoid are trending upward during El Niño. The advice below comes from earlier DOH advisories.

Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily, and drink water before going outside.
Limit time outdoors between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when you can. If you must, wear light clothes and sunscreen and use an umbrella or hat.
Take extra care with older people, young children and people with comorbidities, who are most at risk from heat.
Keep your surroundings clean. El Niño is associated with diseases carried by mosquitoes, flies and ticks.
For dengue, follow the DOH 5S strategy. It starts with searching for and destroying mosquito breeding sites and includes repellent use, early consultation and staying hydrated.

Know your local picture

PAGASA’s CliMap provides historical data and projections down to the municipal level. The DILG asks households to report local conditions to their local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils for faster response. Your water district and power utility are the places to check for plans in your area.