Davao El Niño Plan: City Forms Multi-Office Working Group
Davao City has formed an El Niño Working Group under Executive Order 39, with teams for food, water, energy, health and public safety. Here's what it means.
In this article
Davao City has stepped up its Davao El Niño response. The City Information Office announced on November 13 that Executive Order No. 39, Series of 2026, creates a Davao City El Niño Working Group — a multi-department body tasked with protecting residents' health, safety and well-being as the very strong El Niño heads toward its peak. The move comes as 20 senators press the national government for a calamity declaration, which Malacañang says is not needed for now.
What the Davao El Niño working group is
According to the city government, the working group puts into action the Davao City El Niño Action Plan 2023 prepared by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC). The City Mayor chairs it, with the City Administrator presiding when the mayor is absent. The heads of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the City Agriculturist's Office serve as vice chairs.
Members include the City Health Office, City Veterinarian's Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, City Engineer's Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Information Office, Public Safety and Security Office, City Budget Office, Public Employment Services Office and several other city offices.
Five subcommittees
| Subcommittee | Lead |
|---|---|
| Food security | City Agriculturist's Office |
| Water security | Davao City Water District (DCWD) |
| Energy security | Davao Light and Power Company |
| Health security | City Health Office |
| Public safety | City Administrator's Office with the Public Safety and Security Office |
What it is supposed to do
The city lists the group's mandates as:
- assessing areas likely to be affected by El Niño;
- developing programmes and policies to prevent or reduce its impacts;
- implementing and updating preparedness plans;
- coordinating with concerned institutions;
- stepping up public information campaigns;
- identifying and mobilising resources, personnel and equipment; and
- reporting findings and proposed interventions to the CDRRMC.
Funding will come from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund and the city's General Fund, as set out in the action plan. The full text of EO 39 is posted on the city government's Executive Orders 2026 page.
Davao's water supply so far
Davao has generally been in a stronger position than Metro Cebu. In September, DCWD spokesperson JC Duhaylungsod told a media forum, as reported by SunStar Davao, that surface sources yield about 300 million liters a day and deep groundwater wells can provide up to 350 million liters a day, against city demand of roughly 350 to 400 million liters a day. DCWD said its wells, 200 to 250 meters underground, are largely protected from dry spells, and that it uses satellite imaging to find pipeline leaks.
DCWD's "Libreng Tubig" programme also gives qualified low-consumption households — residential connections with a half-inch meter using 5 cubic meters or less a month — zero consumption charges for October, November and December 2026, with the savings showing on bills from November through January. Account holders still pay the ₱50 meter maintenance fee.
The national picture
GMA News reported on November 10 that 20 senators signed Senate Resolution 765, asking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a state of calamity where drought impacts are already happening, or a state of imminent disaster where severe impacts are highly probable. The resolution cites Department of Agriculture data showing ₱8.57 billion in farm damage and losses as of October 21 across 14 regions, including the Davao Region.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government is not considering a declaration for now because interventions such as the National Irrigation Administration's mobile solar-powered irrigation systems are already under way, Sunday Punch reported. PAGASA expects El Niño effects to last into the first half of 2027.
What residents should do
- Store some water and use it carefully, as DCWD has advised.
- Report leaks to DCWD and fix household leaks quickly.
- Farmers should coordinate with the City Agriculturist's Office on available support.
- Follow City Information Office advisories for updates from the working group.
Check conditions on our weather page, read Cebu City's water crisis plans, and follow our Davao section and news section for updates.
Sources
- City Government of Davao: Davao City creates El Niño working group
- SunStar Davao: DCWD assures adequate water supply amid El Niño
- GMA News: Senators urge state of calamity declaration in El Niño-hit areas
- Sunday Punch: Palace sees no need for El Niño calamity declaration yet
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Davao City's El Niño Working Group?
It is a multi-department body created by Executive Order No. 39, Series of 2026, chaired by the City Mayor. It assesses El Niño risks and coordinates food, water, energy, health and public safety responses.
Is Davao City facing water interruptions?
DCWD said in September that combined surface and groundwater sources can meet daily demand, but it has asked residents to store and manage water carefully. Watch DCWD advisories for any changes.
Has the national government declared a state of calamity over El Niño?
No. As of mid-November 2026, Malacañang said a declaration is not being considered for now, despite a Senate resolution signed by 20 senators urging one.
