Capitol rolls out el niño plan: Cebu braces for dry spell

CEBU, Philippines — A possible water shortage is among the concerns the Cebu provincial government aims to address as it rolls out its El Niño Preparedness and Mitigation Plan for 2026-2027.

The plan prioritizes water security, with measures ranging from the deployment of water tankers and storage facilities to the rehabilitation of existing water systems and development of alternative water sources.

The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said the plan was drafted to strengthen the province’s preparedness and response capabilities against the potential effects of prolonged dry conditions and drought.

Prepared by PDRRMO head Dennis Pastor, the plan was submitted for adoption as the province’s guiding framework for El Niño preparedness and mitigation initiatives.One of the plan’s specific objectives is to “ensure adequate and sustainable water availability for households, health facilities, schools, agriculture and other essential services.”

The province also intends to strengthen “water conservation, management, and augmentation measures to address potential water shortages,” particularly in communities that could face limited access to water.

The Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) is tasked with identifying water-deficient barangays and establishing priority areas for water augmentation.

It will also develop a provincial water supply contingency plan, including water-rationing arrangements when necessary.

The PGSO is instructed to preposition water tankers, mobile water storage tanks and portable water pumps, while establishing water distribution schedules for vulnerable and geographically isolated communities.

The Provincial Engineering Office (PEO), meanwhile, will inventory and assess provincial, municipal and community water sources, including springs, wells, reservoirs and water-impounding facilities.

It will also prepare plans for emergency deep wells and other water sources and storage facilities, including dams, retention ponds, communal water tanks and reservoirs.

The PEO is further tasked with assessing the province’s potential for rainwater harvesting and providing engineering support for the deployment of water tankers, pumps, hoses and temporary pipelines.

The plan also calls for coordination with water districts, bulk water suppliers and private water utilities to help maintain continuity of water supply.

Aside from water supply, the provincial government identified agriculture, livestock, public health, energy, infrastructure, education, tourism and local economic activities as sectors that could be affected by prolonged dry conditions.

The Provincial Agriculturist’s Office and Provincial Veterinary Office will identify drought-vulnerable agricultural areas, farms and livestock production centers and coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and local governments on climate-resilient crops and planting schedules.

Proposed interventions include promoting drought-tolerant crops, mulching, soil-moisture conservation and efficient irrigation methods, as well as providing contingency assistance such as seeds, animal feed and other agricultural inputs.

The offices will also monitor fisheries, aquaculture and inland water resources that could be affected by declining water levels and rising temperatures.

The Provincial Health Office, meanwhile, will work with municipal health offices and the Department of Health (DOH) to monitor heat-related illnesses, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

The health component also calls for stronger surveillance of diseases associated with water scarcity, unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation, while ensuring adequate drinking water and water-catchment facilities in hospitals, rural health units and other health facilities.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) is tasked with maintaining adequate stocks of food, bottled water and other essential relief commodities, including contingency stocks of ready-to-eat meals.

It will also coordinate with the PDRRMO and local governments for emergency water distribution to vulnerable communities and assess drinking water, sanitation, ventilation and shaded areas in public schools and evacuation centers.

The province is also preparing for increased fire risks that may accompany dry conditions.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) will map fire-prone grasslands, forest areas, watersheds and other environmentally sensitive locations.

The office will also monitor watershed conditions, promote the protection and rehabilitation of water catchment areas, and discourage indiscriminate burning through public information campaigns.

Tourism destinations are likewise covered by the plan, with the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) tasked with identifying resorts, beaches, waterfalls, caves, mountain sites and other attractions vulnerable to drought, water shortages, heat, wildfire and reduced water levels.

Tourism establishments will be encouraged to prepare water-conservation and contingency plans, including the use of rainwater-harvesting systems, water storage tanks and water-efficient facilities.

The provincial energy and efficiency officer, meanwhile, will assess the vulnerability of hospitals, evacuation centers, government offices, water-pumping stations and emergency facilities to energy and utility disruptions.

The plan will be supported by a total of P200 million in Capitol funding for all departments, with the Provincial Budget Office (PBO) tasked with identifying and prioritizing funding requirements for water security, drought mitigation, heat protection, wildfire prevention and emergency response.

Priority funding areas include water tankers, water storage tanks or retention ponds, rainwater-harvesting facilities, rehabilitation of water systems, drought-resistant agricultural interventions, heat-health emergency supplies and public information.

The plan identifies water tankers with hoses, portable water-treatment machines, water-quality testing kits, water-treatment pills, solar power systems, backup generators, portable power stations, medical supplies, oral rehydration products, livestock feed, agricultural inputs and emergency food stocks as priority resources for procurement, deployment or augmentation, subject to existing inventories, technical assessments and available funding.

The PDRRMO will establish a Provincial El Niño Monitoring and Coordination Desk at its command center to monitor PAGASA climate outlooks, rainfall anomalies, drought advisories, heat-index forecasts and other relevant climate information.

It will also develop a provincial El Niño risk and vulnerability map covering drought-prone areas, water-stressed communities, agricultural hotspots and fire-prone locations, while strengthening early warnings through SMS, social media, local radio and local government communication channels.

The plan requires regular monitoring of water levels, water availability, agricultural conditions, fire incidents and heat-related emergencies.

Daily reports will be required during heightened alert or emergency operations, while weekly consolidated reports will be submitted during heightened alert and monthly assessments conducted by the PDRRMO and concerned offices.

The provincial government said the plan follows an “anticipatory action” approach, emphasizing preventive measures before El Niño impacts reach critical levels.(CEBU NEWS)