Environment

The Angat Dam’s water level remains below ideal marks even after heavy rains hit Luzon over the past week, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) confirmed on Monday. Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, NWRB executive director Dr. Sevillo David Jr. noted the level rose slightly to 156.07 meters thanks to the southwest monsoon, but this is still the lowest reading recorded at the dam since 2010. He said the dam has yet to hit the 160-meter critical level, and ideally needs to reach the 180-meter minimum operating level, adding the agency is counting on more rainfall in Bulacan in the coming days to boost supplies. Angat Dam provides most of the raw water used by Metro Manila and nearby provinces, distributed by concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water.

When people hear El Niño, they often picture wilting crops, shrinking reservoirs and relentless heat. That's only part of the story. Behind the dry skies is a giant oceanic reshuffling that begins thousands of kilometers away in the Pacific and quietly rewrites weather patterns across the globe.

Against more frequent extreme weather driven by climate change, the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is prioritizing proactive drought preparation alongside response efforts, aligning with the Marcos administration’s goal of stronger national water security.

As the Philippines faces another El Niño episode—forecast to become a "super El Niño" by late 2026 and last into early 2027—Manila Water says it is far more capable now of delivering reliable 24/7 service than during previous dry spells.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has launched a workshop to complete the Philippines’ full phase-out of ozone-depleting hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2030.