Manila: Malaca±ang on Tuesday assured the public of the government's readiness to mitigate the impact of El Ni±o, which may develop as early as June and persist until early 2027. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened concerned agencies at Malaca±an Palace in Manila on Monday to assess the situation and identify interventions to cushion the effects of the weather phenomenon.

According to Philippines News Agency, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, in a chance interview in Pasay City, said preparations are underway to reduce the impact of El Ni±o on affected sectors. Recto stated that the government is reviewing previous interventions to determine which measures effectively mitigated the effects of El Ni±o, emphasizing the importance of planning to mitigate its impact.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier warned of a 79 percent chance that El Ni±o would emerge during the June-July-August season. The latest El Ni±o episode, which lasted from July 2023 to June 2024, adversely affected the country's agriculture sector. PAGASA said drier-than-normal conditions may occur in areas vulnerable to dry spells and droughts.

Meanwhile, Recto noted that the country's economic growth is expected to improve in the second and third quarters of 2026, following a slower first-quarter expansion partly attributed to delays in government spending on flood control projects. Recto also cited external factors, including tensions in the Middle East that led to higher oil prices, as contributors to earlier economic pressures.

Despite the challenges, he said, the country's growth trajectory remains positive. He highlighted that the government provided assistance to nearly two million Filipinos affected by rising fuel costs and global economic pressures. Recto mentioned a survey indicating a 75 percent public approval rating for the government's UPLIFT program, which aims to address economic challenges.