Philippines prepares for ‘Super El Niño’ with water and food security measures

The Philippine government is implementing emergency measures to prepare for a potential ‘Super El Niño’ that could intensify dry conditions through the first half of 2027. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed agencies to strengthen protections for water, food, and electricity supplies.

To bolster water security, authorities have activated 61 decommissioned deep wells to support Metro Manila and are working toward an additional 440 million liters of daily water supply by the end of 2026. This includes the completion of the Kaysakat Water Treatment Plant and the deployment of mobile water tankers and stationary tanks to high-risk areas. Cloud-seeding and dam-management strategies are also being prepared.

In terms of food security, current rice, pork, and chicken stocks are reported as sufficient, though the government remains open to imports if necessary. Farmers facing drought may receive cash assistance and emergency funds. To mitigate power shortages, the administration is securing hundreds of megawatts from battery energy storage systems.

In Davao, the Davao City Water District (DCWD) is utilizing a combination of groundwater and surface water to maintain stability. The utility has been monitoring forecasts from DOST-PAGASA, which suggest the climate phenomenon could peak before the end of 2026.