With an intensifying El Niño forecast to grip most of the Philippines by the last quarter of 2026, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is urging communities not to wait—laying out a practical set of low-cost interventions that households, farmers, and local governments can begin acting on immediately.
Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the single most important step any household or community can take right now is to conserve water—stretching existing reservoir supplies, particularly in areas dependent on major dams like Angat, for as long as possible before dry conditions peak toward yearend.
“Kailangan tayong magtipid sa paggamit ng tubig upang mapatagal pa natin ang suplay ng tubig, lalong-lalo na sa mga dams,” Solidum said in an interview on DZRH’s Special on Saturday on May 23, singling out car washes and similar water-intensive operations as among the first to rein in consumption.
For farmers, Solidum said the priority is reviewing and adjusting planting schedules now—before below-normal rainfall arrives — to ensure crops are not left exposed when water supplies tighten in the final months of the year.
“Kailangan na nilang i-review kung kailan sila magtatanim ng mga halaman at ng mga palay upang ma-anticipate na hindi sila maapektuhan by the end of the year,” he said.
He pointed to hybrid rice varieties developed by the Department of Agriculture as a practical alternative for farmers — cultivars bred to require significantly less water than conventional strains, offering a buffer against the dry conditions ahead.
On irrigation, Solidum said the DOST has deployed solarized irrigation units as a low-cost, diesel-free alternative for farms that cannot rely on rainfall—a technology he said is already available and ready to scale ahead of the dry spell.
Solidum also stressed the importance of protecting human and animal health as temperatures climb, urging outdoor workers in particular to hydrate frequently and limit prolonged sun exposure during peak heat hours.
“Dapat nagha-hydrate parati o ‘di kaya hindi masyadong nagpapaaraw kung hindi naman kailangan,” he said, noting that rising heat index readings in areas like Tuguegarao and Dagupan signal that extreme heat is no longer confined to traditionally hot regions.
He drew on the government’s experience during the 2023-2024 El Niño episode as proof that early, coordinated action works—and called on local government units to begin aligning with national agencies now, while the window to prepare remains open.
