Davao City has more than P200 million in disaster funds available for preparedness and mitigation measures against the anticipated super El Niño, with city government offices now identifying interventions to minimize its potential impact, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang said Tuesday.
Dayanghirang, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, said the city government had started coordinating preparations under Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte ahead of the possible prolonged dry spell early next year.
“We have enough budget on this under the disaster fund, and in fact, nag-meeting na ang disaster group headed by Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and all the offices are already coming up with their own mitigating measures. So, we have enough funds for this, and we are ready,” Dayanghirang said during the Pulong Pulong para sa Dabawenyos.
He said the city had consulted the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to assess projected weather conditions and possible changes in rainfall patterns.
According to Dayanghirang, while tropical cyclones may still affect the country, the effects of El Niño on Davao City could become more pronounced in the first quarter of 2027.
“And last meeting na dito ang Department of Science and Technology, PAGASA, trying to project some dry and rainy season. They are saying na it might start very soon, pero naa gihapon’y mga bagyo musulod sa Pilipinas. But I think the impact on this might start next year, January, February, March,” he said.
Dayanghirang added that concerned offices were preparing a list of proposed interventions, which would guide the use of the available disaster funds.
“Sa karon, they are preparing the listing, but we have enough budget of more than P200 million under the disaster fund,” he said.
The preparations come amid climate warnings that El Niño could develop into a very strong episode and persist through the first half of 2027.
In its September 23, 2026, climate advisory, PAGASA said the phenomenon could intensify between September and December 2026.
El Niño, characterized by warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, can disrupt normal rainfall patterns and increase the likelihood of below-normal rainfall in parts of the Philippines. Its potential effects include water supply shortages, agricultural losses, and heightened risks of drought.
PAGASA has urged government agencies, climate-sensitive industries, and communities in vulnerable areas to prepare for the possible impacts.
Dayanghirang said Davao City would continue coordinating with relevant agencies and preparing mitigation measures, with more than P200 million in disaster funds available to support its response.
