The state weather bureau PAGASA on Tuesday declared the onset of El Niño, a naturally occurring phenomenon associated with less rainfall and drier conditions. 

”El Niño is present in the tropical Pacific and will persist until the first quarter of 2024, showing signs of strengthening in the coming months,” PAGASA said in a presentation shown at a news conference. 

PAGASA said El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts such as dry spells and droughts in some areas of the country. 

”However, over the western part of the country, above-normal conditions during the Southwest Monsoon season (Habagat) may also be expected,” it said.

In May, former Defense Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Marcos administration had reconstituted an “El Niño team” led by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with other member agencies, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

The team is tasked with implementing measures to mitigate the impact of El Niño on the country’s economy, natural resources, environment, climate change, disaster response, and peace and order.