ILOILO — Western Visayas disaster officials have intensified preparations for a looming El Niño phenomenon expected to strike later this year, with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Office 6 warning local government units to brace for prolonged drought, worsening water shortages, and a possible spike in destructive fire incidents already being felt in parts of the region.
During a recent region-wide virtual Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting, OCD-6 gathered provincial and local government officials, national agencies, and partner organizations to craft coordinated response measures amid forecasts showing a high probability of El Niño conditions developing within the year.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), there is a 79-percent probability that El Niño conditions will emerge between June and August 2026 and may persist until early 2027, raising fears of severe dry spells that could threaten agriculture, water supply, and public safety across Western Visayas.
Alarm bells were raised during the assessment after several local government units reported worsening ground conditions linked to prolonged dry weather.
Several barangays in Iloilo have already experienced rising fire incidents amid dwindling water supply that forced some communities to implement water rationing measures.
Officials from Antique likewise reported multiple fire outbreaks affecting residents and farmlands while grappling with insufficient water supply in several towns.
Iloilo City also sustained substantial damages from fire-related incidents, highlighting the growing danger posed by extreme heat and dry conditions.
Atty. Melissa Banias, chief of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Division of OCD-6, underscored the need for stronger coordination among agencies and local governments to cushion the impact of the projected drought.
She reviewed existing national directives and pushed for a unified strategy involving both local and national resources to strengthen disaster response capabilities.
Raul Fernandez, chairperson of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) and OCD-6 regional director, stressed the urgency of immediate preparedness actions.
Fernandez directed LGUs and concerned agencies to conduct detailed risk assessments, revise contingency plans to include El Niño scenarios, intensify inter-agency coordination, and expand public information campaigns.
He also urged local governments to strategically preposition emergency resources, especially in fire-prone areas such as sanitary landfills, to ensure quick response once conditions worsen.
The OCD-6 chief likewise emphasized the importance of real-time reporting and constant monitoring of vulnerable areas to improve disaster response efficiency.
Participants were instructed to regularly submit situational reports and action plans as part of a continuing region-wide preparedness effort against the anticipated climate threat./PN
