As the heat intensifies, nearly 357,000 Filipinos feel the weight of El Niño

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 04, 2026

Photo Courtesy: LAMUDI

For thousands of Filipino families, the dry season is no longer just about hotter days. It is becoming a daily struggle for water, food and the resources needed to get through another day.

Around 356,800 people, or nearly 190,000 families, have been affected by El Niño across the country, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

More than 3,400 barangays in different parts of the Philippines are now dealing with the effects of extreme drought. Communities in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Oriental Mindoro, parts of Bicol, Cebu, Samar, Leyte, Mountain Province and the Dinagat Islands are among those affected.

In some areas, the situation has become serious enough for local governments to declare a state of calamity. These include the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela, along with several municipalities in Quezon.

The lack of water has also pushed authorities to provide immediate assistance. The DSWD has distributed more than 43,000 family food packs and over 3,600 water containers to communities seeking help.

Humanitarian assistance for El Niño has already surpassed P714 million, while the agency still has about P1.4 billion in standby funds and millions of prepositioned food packs for areas that may need additional support.

But for many communities, the bigger concern is what comes next.

A stronger El Niño is expected to take hold beginning October, with dry conditions potentially continuing until June 2027.

As the months ahead are expected to bring more heat and less rain, the challenge will extend beyond keeping people cool. For communities already struggling with water shortages and food insecurity, the coming months could test how prepared the country is to deal with a prolonged drought.