DENR prepares for dry season

MANILA, Philippines — Mitigation efforts are underway to address water supply concerns ahead of the dry season and El Niño, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The water sector has consolidated following 2023’s El Niño, DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David said at a recent press conference.

“At least for that year, we were able to curb any major water supply interruptions in Metro Manila, thanks to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and their concessionaires,” David said.

“What is nice about what has happened since 2023 is that the entire water sector meets regularly. We are consolidated somehow,” he added.

If Angat Dam’s water level declines, the same plans will be implemented, he noted.

State weather forecasters are expecting the dry season to begin next week.

While there is still a push for the establishment of a Department of Water, David said: “The coordination of different agencies is quite strong. We won’t have any major issues in terms of water supply this year.”

DENR chief Juan Miguel Cuna said emergency protocols are ready for cross-border supply system to help areas with less water supply.

Meanwhile, seven tropical cyclone names in 2025 have been retired by the state weather bureau.

Crising, Emong, Mirasol, Nando, Opong, Tino and Uwan have been removed due to the “exceptional magnitude and extent of the devastation” they caused.

Replacements to the names are Chico, Elias, Magyawan, Nilas, Omar, Tala and Upa starting 2029.