Malacañang is holding off on declaring a state of calamity over the expected strong El Niño, saying government agencies are already implementing measures to address its effects—even as 20 senators, including Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, are urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to consider the declaration in areas facing drought-related impacts.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government is not considering the declaration for now because the needs of affected communities are being addressed through existing interventions. She cited the National Irrigation Administration’s mobile solar-powered irrigation systems as one measure available to help farmers cope with reduced water supply, adding that the government would continue assessing whether further action is necessary.
Through Senate Resolution No. 765, the senators are urging the President to declare a state of calamity in areas already experiencing drought-related disasters or a state of imminent disaster in locations facing highly probable threats with potentially catastrophic consequences. The proposed measure also calls on the government to make available funds under the 2026 budget, including Quick Response Funds, and strengthen monitoring against hoarding, profiteering, and unreasonable price increases.
The weather bureau expecting the phenomenon to intensify toward November and December and its effects to continue into the first half of 2027.