Libanan bats for rainwater harvesting projects amid widespread El Niño threat

A serious El Niño threat needs an innovative response from the government. That's why House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan is urging local government units (LGUs) and community organizations to tap the P1-billion People’s Survival Fund (PSF). Libanan said this would go a long way in the implementation of practical climate adaptation projects, including rainwater harvesting systems. “In the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), Congress allocated P1 billion for the PSF to help finance climate adaptation initiatives, including the installation of functional rainwater collection and storage systems that can strengthen communities’ resilience against potential freshwater shortages,” Libanan said. The veteran lawmaker stressed that both LGUs and community organizations may access PSF financing for eligible projects aimed at reducing communities’ vulnerability to climate-related risks. Libanan issued the call as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that Metro Manila and 47 provinces could experience below-normal rainfall in the coming months as El Niño develops. “We should make rainwater harvesting a regular practice so communities can build up additional freshwater reserves before severe dry periods set in,” Libanan said. “Every liter of rainwater captured and stored today can help cushion households and communities from water shortages tomorrow. Investing in rainwater harvesting is one of the simplest, most practical, and most cost-effective climate adaptation measures available to us,” he added. PAGASA forecasts that Metro Manila and the following Luzon provinces may be under “dry condition” by November: Abra, Albay, Apayao, Aurora, Bataan, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Laguna, Marinduque, Masbate, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Sorsogon, Tarlac, and Zambales. PAGASA defines “dry condition” as two consecutive months of below-normal rainfall, equivalent to a 21 percent to 60 percent reduction from average precipitation. Meanwhile, PAGASA projects that Camarines Sur may be under a “dry spell” by November. A dry spell is defined as three consecutive months of below-normal rainfall, equivalent to a 21 percent to 60 percent reduction from average precipitation. In the Visayas, the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Iloilo, Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte are likewise expected to be under dry condition by November. In Mindanao, the provinces of Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte are also projected to be under dry condition by November. The PSF is administered by a board composed of the secretaries of the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Economy, Planning and Development; the chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women; the vice chairperson of the Climate Change Commission; and representatives from the scientific community, business sector, and non-governmental organizations.

askFinz Newsroom· Jun 21, 2026#niño#bats#widespread#rainwater