Bam Aquino asks Senate to revive PROTECT committee ahead of 'Super El Niño'

Sen. Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV has asked Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian to reconvene the Senate's Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee as the country braces for a forecast "Super El Niño," according to Edge Davao.

Meteorologists expect the phenomenon to intensify toward the end of 2026 and continue through the first quarter of 2027. Aquino said national preparations should centre on three areas: education, public health, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The PROTECT Committee was first formed in March 2026 to respond to global supply chain shocks.

At a Senate Committee on Finance (Subcommittee B) budget hearing on education, Aquino questioned officials on whether schools are ready for tightening water supplies. He noted that more than 100 municipalities have already declared an emergency because of El Niño. "Are our schools prepared for a possible shortage of water?" he asked, flagging concerns over water for toilets, canteens and drinking, and whether next year's maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) already cover El Niño preparations.

He also suggested that the executive issue a memo guiding principals and teachers on preparing campuses, such as collecting and storing water in pails and jerry cans for sanitation, separately from drinking water. He added that solar power could handle school lights and electric fans.

On health, Aquino called on the Department of Health and local government units to make sure public hospitals and health centres have enough medical supplies and a clear action plan for heat-related illnesses before peak temperatures arrive. He cited outdoor workers, commuting students and senior citizens as among the most vulnerable.

As chair of the Senate Trade Committee, Aquino is also pushing state lenders GSIS, SSS, Pag-IBIG and SB Corp to freeze interest payments and waive penalties from January to March 2027. He said Filipinos need financial breathing room as the dry spell threatens to push up utility and commodity prices.

Aquino said the government must act early rather than wait for the crisis to hit, adding that many problems arise because authorities move too late.