All provinces in the Philippines could be under dry conditions or drought by the end of March 2027 because of El Niño, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said on Monday, GMA News and ABS-CBN News reported. Seven provinces are already in drought, according to GMA News. Manila Bulletin reported that Marcos ordered a faster El Niño response, while the Palace urged the public not to panic-buy.
A state of calamity has been declared in 106 cities and municipalities because of El Niño, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said, according to Philstar and GMA News. The dry spell has affected 104,149 families, or 388,375 people. GMA News reported that Cagayan Valley accounts for P4.96 billion of the farm damage, while Caraga has logged 39 wild, forest and mountain fires.
PAGASA said on Monday, October 5, that the southwest monsoon (habagat) has ended, marking the end of the 2026 rainy season in western Luzon and the Visayas, Rappler and GMA News reported. The country is now shifting to the northeast monsoon (amihan). PAGASA also warned that the strong El Niño may bring hotter days and below-normal rain in the coming months, though tropical cyclones can still form.