Recto to agencies: procure early for ‘super’ El Niño
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has directed government agencies to accelerate public spending and begin early procurement for 2027 programs, particularly those aimed at preparing the country for the anticipated “super” El Niño.
“We have one more quarter to improve spending for the year. Let’s get our acts together in the fourth quarter,” said Recto, who met with key department heads in Malacañang last Thursday to prepare for the phenomenon.
“Spend and start doing early procurement, especially on programs that would strengthen our response against El Niño, This way, we can fully catch up in the first quarter of next year,” he added in a statement.
Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. earlier warned that all 82 provinces are expected to experience drought by March next year due to El Niño.
Drought occurs when there are several consecutive months of unusually low rainfall, specifically three consecutive months with more than 60 percent less rainfall than average, or five consecutive months with rainfall 21 to 60 percent below normal.
Solidum said that rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat) had masked the effects of El Niño, which explains why its impact had not yet been fully felt. The southwest monsoon ended last week, with monsoon rains forecast to weaken in the coming months.
Don’t panic, act early
El Niño will intensify even further before peaking in December, the World Meteorological Organization said, warning it could be among the strongest witnessed since at least 1950.
Recto told heads of agencies to ensure that programs to address the effects of anticipated prolonged dry spells and droughts would be implemented promptly.
With government spending up by 7.5 percent in the first three quarters of 2026, Recto urged agencies to ramp up projects and aid programs that can be carried out by year-end.
Priority programs include education, health, infrastructure and transport procurement, cash assistance, employment support, and interventions to help farmers and fisherfolk to prepare for El Niño, including solar-powered seed cold storage and irrigation systems.
“Preparedness is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to act early. Our job is to make sure that when the effects of El Niño come, the government is ready and Filipinos are protected,” Recto said.
Reactivate deep wells
According to Recto, he would also meet with local government units (LGUs) to ensure that national preparations are responsive to conditions on the ground.
“El Niño will not affect every area in the same way. The risks and needs of one community may be different from those of another,” Recto said. “We need to know where the risks are greatest and make sure our response matches the situation in each area.”
The measures include the reactivation of 59 deep wells, the deployment of 240 stationary and mobile water tankers for emergencies, and the optimization of water treatment facilities in Cavite, Rizal, Laguna and San Mateo, among other areas.
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