BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio City government has activated its October 2026 El Niño Continuity Action Plan as the highland city enters the orange phase, warning of potentially tighter water supplies and urging residents and businesses to conserve water ahead of a possible shift to the red phase.

El Niño refers to the abnormal warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. In the Philippines, past episodes of the phenomenon have been associated with below-normal rainfall, drought and water shortages, and such episodes typically reach their strongest point toward the turn of the year, although their intensity and duration vary from event to event. Baguio, a mountain city roughly 1,500 meters above sea level in the Cordillera region of northern Luzon, is among the country's most popular tourist destinations — a status that makes steady water service a daily concern not only for households but also for the hotels and businesses that serve its visitors.

Under the action plan, the city will issue daily water advisories and regular updates on supply conditions and possible service interruptions, while enforcing stricter conservation measures on major water users, including hotels, commercial establishments, golf courses and car wash shops.

The Baguio Water District, in coordination with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Management Information Technology Division, will roll out a weekly water stress dashboard to track water availability and pumping levels, giving the public a regular read on how the supply picture is evolving.

Authorities will likewise intensify leak detection and pipeline repairs, monitor springs and groundwater sources, and explore alternative supplies and storage facilities.

Hospitals, health centers, evacuation centers and fire stations will receive priority in water augmentation efforts. Health and social welfare offices will step up surveillance for heat-related and waterborne illnesses, particularly among vulnerable residents, while micro, small and medium enterprises will be assisted in preparing water-saving measures and business continuity plans.

The city government said conservation measures would be implemented and intensified throughout October, with contingency preparations ready should conditions worsen. How the situation develops will be visible in the daily advisories and the weekly water stress dashboard, with any move to the red phase marking a further step up in the city's preparations.

Households, businesses and government offices were urged to avoid unnecessary water use, as officials warned that collective action would be crucial to protecting supplies for essential services and daily needs.

— Artemio A. Dumlao

Source: BusinessWorld