03/10/2026
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐ โ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐โ ๐๐ ๐๐ร๐
Under the leadership and guidance of DSWD Rex Gatchalian, and following the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) climate advisory issued on September 23, 2026, forewarning that a phenomenon is expected to intensify into a Very Strong El Niรฑo between the September to December 2026 season and will persist through the first half of 2027, the Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) and the NDRRMC Disaster Response and Recovery Pillar issue these strategic directives.
The objective is to proactively position resources, safeguard food security for vulnerable households, and maintain a responsive social protection workforce amid prolonged dry spells, agricultural disruption, and concurrent hydrometeorological hazards.
DSWD Regional and Field Offices are actively prepositioning Family Food Packs and essential relief items in high-risk, drought-prone municipalities while coordinating with the National Resource Logistics and Management Bureau to continuously restock regional warehouses.
To offset severe agricultural income losses, Field Offices will deploy Cash-for-Work and Cash-for-Training programs under Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and Project BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished). Project LAWA will construct small farm reservoirs and rehabilitate water harvesting systems, while Project BINHI will establish communal vegetable gardens and plant climate-resilient crops to preserve food security.
The DRMB also encourages DSWD Field Offices to proactively coordinate with and assist local government units (LGUs) in expanding PLAB and promoting the cultivation of disaster-resilient, water-independent crops, such as gabi, ube, cassava, kamote, and other locally grown root crops. This aims to help strengthen food security and reduce the potential impacts of prolonged dry spells on vulnerable communities.
DRCC Disaster monitoring teams will track drought indicators alongside monsoon and cyclone hazards, using PAGASA tools and DROMIC reports to address dry spells and drought.
To ensure operational readiness, all DSWD Field Offices must immediately launch preparedness and response operations, and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils must submit updated action plans to ensure maximum preparedness against the impacts of this intensifying El Niรฑo.
