Palace urges calm amid possible water shortage from Super El Niño

MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday urged the public to remain calm and prepare for the possible effects of Super El Niño, including potential water shortages.

Speaking to Palace reporters, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro reaffirmed the government’s preparedness and response measures to mitigate the impact of a strong El Niño.

Castro said the government is already implementing various programs to assist vulnerable sectors, including farmers and fisherfolk.

“Handa po ang gobyerno at marami na pong mga programa ang naumpisahan na (The government is prepared, and many programs are already in place),” she said.

“So, hindi po kinakailangang mag-panic katulad ng mga nakikita natin sa mga socmed. Ang kailangan po ng mga kababayan natin ay magprepara, maging ready po (There is no need to panic, as we have seen on social media. What our fellow Filipinos need to do is prepare and be ready),” she added.

Castro said the government is prepared for a possible water crisis but stressed the need to prepare for the severity of the drought that may occur.

She cautioned that the effects of the phenomenon could be more severe due to climate change.

“Katulad nang sinabi natin, handa po tayo diyan. Kung anuman po ang mangyayari, kailangan pa rin nating paghandaan. Kung gaano ito katindi, iyon ang dapat natin paghandaan (As we said, we are prepared for that. Whatever happens, we still need to be prepared. We need to prepare for however severe it may be),” Castro said.

She said proper preparation is necessary to avoid causing fear or anxiety among Filipinos.

Castro also urged the public to practice proper water storage following reports that some individuals have been hoarding bottled water in preparation for Super El Niño.

“Ang gobyerno po ay kasama po ninyo, tinataguyod ang lahat ng pagprepara at ang pag-iipon ng tubig na tama naman pero hindi po sa pamamaraan na kailangang mag-hoard ng mga mineral water na mabibili po ninyo. Hindi po iyan tamang pagpeprepara (The government is with you in promoting proper preparation and appropriate water storage, but not in a way that requires you to hoard bottled water. That is not the proper way to prepare),” Castro said.

“Kasi mas magkakaroon po ng fear o agam-agam ang ating mga kababayan sa ginagawa ninyong pagpa-panic (It could cause greater fear or anxiety among our fellow Filipinos because of such panic)."