Loren Legarda believed that these steps can address the impending effect of Super El Niño
Senator Loren Legarda has laid out a 10-point action plan containing concrete measures to prepare for and mitigate the severe impacts of the anticipated strong El Niño in the country.
The plan focuses on immediate action by the government and local communities to ensure an adequate supply of water and food, protect the livelihoods and health of the public, and reduce the risks posed by extreme heat and drought.
Her outlined steps are particularly focused on the sectors most likely to be affected.
This follows a call made by Sen. Loren Legarda in September 2026 for proactive, science-based preparations against El Niño, based on the article in Bandera.
She also filed Senate Resolution No. 733 to assess the government’s preparedness, existing programs, and the funds allocated for the anticipated crisis.
“Ang nais natin ay malinaw na plano at aksyon kaya ko ihinain ang Senate Resolution 733. Nais nating malaman kung ano ang mga lugar at sektor na pinakamapanganib, kung ano ang mga prayoridad na hakbang, at kung sapat ba ang pondo upang maiwasan ang malawakang pagkalugi at gutom bago pa man tumindi ang krisis,” Sen. Loren Legarda said.
The Senator emphasized that the review of government plans and funds must be accompanied by concrete preparations, as she has been a long-time advocate for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
“Although the resolution has already been filed, we need to act now. We cannot afford to wait for the situation to worsen before taking action. We must learn from past El Niño events,” she stressed.
Legarda’s ten-point plan was developed based on the recommendations and experiences of international organizations and local groups that work directly with communities vulnerable to the impacts of drought and extreme heat.
- Maglagay agad ng mga imbakan ng tubig-ulan sa mga paaralan.
- The Department of Education (DepEd) and local governments must immediately install rainwater harvesting systems in public schools to mitigate the impact of impending droughts.
2. Gawing mas abot-kaya ang tubig para sa mga pamilyang Pilipino
*The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recommends that local water districts impose emergency penalty rates on large commercial consumers for non-essential water use during prolonged droughts.
- Protektahan ang mga manggagawa laban sa matinding init
- Following a call from the fisherfolk group PAMALAKAYA, employers are being urged to shift heavy outdoor work to cooler hours when the heat index exceeds 42°C, or provide mandatory “Climate Hazard Pay” if schedule changes are not possible.
Legarda stated that there’s a need to protect the lives of vulnerable laborers, farmers, and construction workers through concrete workplace regulations rather than simple advisories.
- Suportahan ang mga katutubong nangangalaga sa kagubatan
- Based on the Department of Agriculture’s Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (DA-4K) program, the implementation of a formal Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) system has been proposed to directly compensate indigenous communities for protecting upland forests and watersheds.
- Tiyaking ligtas sa matinding init ang mga mangingisda
- In response to the fisherfolk group PAMALAKAYA’s appeal, a proposal has been made to provide subsidies and specialized first aid kits to protect fishermen from extreme heat at sea.
6. Magbukas ng mga pampublikong lugar na maaaring silungan laban sa init
- Local government units are encouraged to partner with malls and utilize public facilities, like barangay halls, as cooling centers to provide relief and protection for vulnerable citizens against extreme heat.
- Gawing mas malamig ang mga bahay at gusali
- The proposal suggests distributing subsidized white elastomeric paint to low-income households to lower indoor temperatures and improve comfort during extreme heat.
8. Magtanim ng mga punong katutubo at pananim na matibay sa tagtuyot sa malalayong komunidad
- The government could prioritize the establishment of community gardens in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), where native, drought-resistant trees and root crops, which can serve as a source of food, would be planted.
- Protektahan ang ani at kita ng mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalit ng pananim
- Based on the recommendations of DA-4K, farmers should be provided with Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT), or financial assistance, along with continuous guidance, to encourage them to cultivate crops capable of surviving even with limited water. This support will help reduce the risk of farmers losing their capital and income, while ensuring the food supply is maintained during periods of severe drought.
- Magbigay ng mabilis na tulong pinansiyal sa mga apektadong sektor
- The proposed plan introduces parametric climate insurance to provide rapid, automatic financial payouts to farmers and small businesses during extreme weather events. Instead of relying on lengthy post-disaster damage assessments, this system triggers immediate payouts as soon as weather stations record predefined conditions, such as 30 consecutive days without rain.
