MANILA, Philippines — A “very strong” El Niño is now prevailing in the tropical Pacific and may reach its peak by the end of the year and persist until the first half of 2027, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.
“El Niño increases the likelihood of rainfall deficits, which may result in dry spells and drought in several areas of the country,” PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said in an advisory. “However, episodes of heavy rainfall conditions may still occur due to the passage of tropical cyclones and other rain-bearing weather systems.”
Also according to PAGASA, three areas are projected to record “danger” level heat index today. Coron, Palawan is expected to have the highest heat index at 43 degrees Celsius, while Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte and Butuan City in Agusan de Norte will both sizzle at 42 degrees Celsius.
A danger-level heat index ranges from 42 to 51 degrees Celsius.
Exposure to danger-level heat index with continuous activity may result in heat exhaustion or stroke.
Based on the latest drought assessment for October, around five provinces experienced meteorological drought, 11 more under dry spell, and 10 had dry conditions.
Below normal to way below normal rainfall is expected over most parts of the country, with several provinces likely to experience meteorological drought/dry spell conditions by the end of this month.
Warmer than average mean air temperatures are also expected across most parts of the country.
The public and all concerned agencies are strongly advised to implement appropriate sectoral interventions, conservation and mitigation measures, particularly water conservation and efficient management of water resources, to minimize the potential impacts of El Niño.
With a looming dry spell, House committee on agriculture and food chairman Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga has called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to fast-track the release of the remaining P14 billion unspent government funds for easing the impact of severe El Niño.
“We really have to be prepared for the eventuality of this Super El Niño that we will be facing. It is very, very important that we do what we have to do now. Time is of the essence,” Enverga said.
“It is a 2026 fund that remains available until now. In fact, it is already rolling. A big chunk of it has already been released, but we still have P14 billion remaining,” the Quezon province lawmaker said.
The amount represents the unreleased balance of the P61.99-billion 2026 El Niño action plan, intended to finance interventions to protect farmers and the country’s agricultural sector from prolonged drought.
“They’re ready to release the fund as long as the DA complies with the requirements of the Department of Budget and Management,” he said in an interview following the House panel’s inquiry into government preparations for the anticipated weather phenomenon. - Delon Porcalla, Rhodina Villanueva, Evelyn Macairan