Bohol provincial officials have launched early preparations against an incoming El Niño, reactivating a provincial task force and holding emergency planning meetings as the Philippine weather bureau placed the country under an El Niño Alert.
Governor Aris Aumentado issued an executive order reactivating the Provincial El Niño Task Force, tasking it to lead preparedness, response, and rehabilitation efforts, including information and education campaigns.
The task force will also coordinate with government agencies and civil society groups.
Vice Governor Nicanor Besas serves as vice chairman of the body, while Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Anthony Damalerio is its executive officer.
Working committees under the task force are focused on agriculture, water management, energy, health services, consumer protection, and rescue and relief operations.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s joint committees on climate change and disaster risk reduction and agriculture met at the Capitol on May 18, 2026 to discuss preparedness plans against the drought expected to accompany El Niño.
Board Member DJ Balite led the meeting, which was also attended by PDRRMO chief Damalerio, PAGASA-Bohol chief Leonardo Samar, and assistant provincial agriculturist Larry Pamugas.
Officials expressed fears over the potential impact of the drought on irrigation systems, household water supplies, fisheries, agricultural output, and food prices.
Mitigation measures discussed included strengthened water management systems, cloud seeding operations, and the distribution of drought-resistant seeds to farmers.
PAGASA on April 22, 2026 upgraded its ENSO alert status to El Niño Alert, warning that climate models and expert judgment indicate a 79 percent probability of El Niño developing during the June-July-August 2026 season.
The developing El Niño may persist until at least the first quarter of 2027, according to model projections.
The El Niño Alert follows the end of the recent La Niña event on March 9, after which ENSO-neutral conditions prevailed.
PAGASA had first issued an El Niño Watch on March 25, when climate models suggested El Niño could develop as early as the July-to-September 2026 season.
PAGASA also forecast warmer-than-normal temperatures nationwide from May to October 2026.
Despite the expected dry conditions, the agency projected that 9 to 17 tropical cyclones may still enter or develop within the Philippine Area of Responsibility during the same period.
PAGASA-Climatology and Agrometeorology Division chief Thelma Cinco warned that as El Niño strengthens in later months, rainfall is expected to decline, increasing the risk of dry spells and drought across the country.
As of April 22, 15 areas in Luzon were already experiencing drought, while 32 areas across the country were under a dry spell.
PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando said the El Niño Alert means conditions are already favorable and there is a strong likelihood that El Niño will develop in the next two to three months.