Readiness for Super El Niño

It is the middle of October, well into the “ber” months, when mornings are supposed to turn cool and Christmas songs play in the background. But this year, the weather has not kept to the calendar. The heat and dry air make us feel as if the dry season never really left, with only a few intermittent downpours to interrupt it.

These days, we can feel that something has shifted. Science confirms what we already sense and that gives us the chance to act.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and international monitoring agencies have been sounding the alarm: we are dealing with a “very strong” El Niño phenomenon.

The latest bulletins paint a tough picture ahead. Extended dry spells, delayed monsoon rains and temperatures consistently breaking historical records are taking a toll across multiple sectors. PAGASA has warned that up to 85 provinces across the country may experience dry conditions, dry spells and drought starting October 2026 until the first quarter of 2027, affecting rainfall patterns and placing increasing pressure on the country’s water resources.

Water is the first pressure point. The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has cut the allocation for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to 44 cubic meters per second from the usual 50. That should be a signal to conserve and not to hoard. Turn off the tap while brushing, run full loads of laundry, reuse rinse water for cleaning and fix household leaks, saving money along the way, too.

Preparation has also begun on the supply side, especially coming from companies under the MVP Group, led by chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan or MVP. Through his leadership, the companies under the group have been preparing early, readying before the shortage arrives, not after.

According to reports, Maynilad has increased the water it can treat each day by 173 million liters, to a total of 2,873 million liters daily. Its Laguna Lake treatment capacity now totals 450 million liters per day – a source that eases the load on Angat Dam. It now has recycling plants in Parañaque and Valenzuela that turn treated used water into safe drinking water, and a third in Pasay is due this year. It has also built more storage with two more reservoirs due within 2026 that will bring the total to 1,020 million liters. It is also plugging leaks: water lost before reaching homes is down to 31.5 percent as of June – in 2025 alone the company recovered 256 million liters a day. For communities that lose water pressure, it keeps tanker trucks and stationary water tanks ready.

In Iloilo, Metro Pacific Iloilo Water joined the city’s scientific forum with the private sector and academe on preparing for a Super El Niño and is working with the city government on supply augmentation, water recovery and infrastructure upgrades. Parent Metro Pacific Water has set aside P3.81 billion this year for pipelines and leak reduction in Iloilo and Dumaguete, as well as desalination facilities. In San Jose del Monte, Metro Pacific Bulacan Water repaired 789 leaks in its first 100 days.

Then there is electricity. Scorching heat means higher demand and longer use of air-conditioners, and we saw how thin the margin can be in May, when red and yellow alerts were raised over the Luzon grid. During this time, Meralco continues to coordinate with high-load customers under its Interruptible Load Program to de-load and ease demand. Meralco has also been running an energy efficiency program in coordination with the national government.

Having spent nearly four decades working in the electric utility sector, I have seen my share of grid crises and supply shortfalls. If those years taught me one thing, it is that utility programs and upgrades are only half the equation. The other half is mindful energy management in our own homes and businesses. Setting your air-conditioner to 25°C cuts power draw significantly without making the room uncomfortable. Cleaning the filters keeps the motor from working twice as hard. Unplugging appliances and using natural light help manage both your bill and overall demand.

Staying connected is part of staying safe, too. PLDT Home has reinforced network infrastructure and backup routes in high-risk areas and uses satellite broadband to speed up restoration. Media and communication platforms carry a duty as well: to keep people accurately informed, because in a crisis, rumors spread faster than facts.

This is what nation-building looks like in practice: not waiting for the crisis to arrive but preparing for it. Our part is simple: stay informed through reliable sources, avoid panic buying and unverified claims, and use power, water and other resources mindfully. Disciplined use today can help ensure we have enough throughout the Super El Niño.