ANTIQUE — More than 360 barangays in Southern Antique previously identified as vulnerable to water shortages could face greater pressure on their water sources as the province prepares for the possible intensification of El Niño toward the end of the year.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Broderick Train said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), led by Gov. Paolo Javier, has begun coordinating a province-wide response based on climate forecasts from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
According to PAGASA, El Niño is currently present in the Pacific and is expected to reach a “very strong state” from October to December 2026 and persist through the first half of 2027. Due to its exceptional strength, the phenomenon has also been described in global weather reports as a “super El Niño.”
Train said there is a high likelihood of below-normal rainfall in Antique, which could affect water supply, agriculture, health, food security and public safety.
The El Niño Task Force has been reactivated and reconstituted through Executive Order No. 44, series of 2026, with an expanded multisectoral composition. Member agencies are expected to submit contingency plans covering public safety, agriculture and fisheries, water resources, health, energy and the environment.
Water security remains the top concern, particularly in upland communities where deep wells and other water sources may be limited.
Train said the provincial government has allocated funds for the initial procurement of water tankers to support water-rationing operations in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection and local government units.
The agriculture and fisheries sectors are also being assessed for possible disruptions to food production.
The Department of Agriculture, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will lead preparations, with fisheries facing possible risks from declining water levels, higher temperatures and coral bleaching.
Meanwhile, extreme heat may increase health risks, prompting schools to limit outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Higher temperatures may also increase electricity consumption as households and institutions use more cooling equipment.
Train emphasized that El Niño should not be viewed solely as a drought or extreme-heat concern, as tropical cyclones may continue to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility during the last quarter of the year.
He noted that historically, some major storms have occurred during the latter months of the year, underscoring the need for communities to prepare for multiple hazards.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office continues to monitor weather patterns and heat indices across municipalities as the country transitions toward the northeast monsoon, or amihan.
Train urged Antiqueños to conserve water, food and energy, noting that food-security concerns could contribute to higher prices of basic commodities.
He also reminded residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities during extreme heat and prepare for possible power interruptions.
The PDRRMC is set to convene on October 6 to discuss the convergent efforts of concerned agencies and review and finalize their action plans to reduce and prevent the potential impacts of El Niño in the province./PN
