With high probability of El Niño developing between June and August 2026 and lasting until early 2027, city health authorities warned that the weather phenomenon would bring far-reaching risks to public health, food security, water safety, and community well-being, prompting the rollout of comprehensive measures to mitigate its impacts.
During the DANUM 2026: Directing Action and Networks for Urban Management of Water Stress summit held recently, City Health Services Office Chief Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes and Ruby Marie Magsino of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) presented the latest assessments, emphasizing that El Niño is no longer just an environmental concern but a critical public health issue requiring urgent and collective action.
“El Niño represents a dual challenge: threat to water supply and increased risk of disease outbreaks,” Magsino stated.
Beyond weather: Wide-ranging health risks
Brillantes explained that El Niño, characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures and prolonged dry conditions, triggers a chain of health hazards. Extreme heat leads to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and potentially fatal heat stroke, with vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and those with chronic illnesses at highest risk.
Water scarcity compounds these dangers. As groundwater levels drop, remaining sources become more concentrated with sediment and contaminants, reducing treatment effectiveness and increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and dysentery.
She recalled the 2024 acute gastroenteritis outbreak that affected over 3,000 residents, traced to unsafe water sources and unregulated deliveries, as a stark lesson on how drought can escalate into a health emergency.
Dry weather also heightens vector-borne disease. Magsino noted that households storing water in uncovered containers during shortages create ideal breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes that cause dengue and chikungunya.
Respiratory illnesses are likewise expected to rise due to dust and smoke from forest fires. Poor harvests and rising food prices also threaten nutrition and immunity, especially among children and low-income families.
Dr. Brillantes also highlighted the less visible but significant social and mental health impacts, including stress, anxiety, and tension over limited resources, as well as income loss affecting farmers and workers.
Strategic measures to protect communities
To address these threats, the Health Services Office, in partnership with the Baguio Water District, is strengthening safeguards under the Baguio Water Code. These include intensified monitoring of commercial deep wells, regular quality testing, mandatory chlorination for bulk water suppliers, and sanctions for non-compliant facilities.
There are also other key interventions. Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams and health center coordinators are on alert to immediately report disease clusters, enabling rapid response before outbreaks spread.
Community interventions include intensified “Search and Destroy” campaigns, and vector surveillance to identify high-risk dengue areas and the establishment of cooling and hydration stations in public areas.
Residents are advised to boil water for at least three minutes if the quality is in doubt, cover all water containers, practice proper hygiene, and stay hydrated.
Dr. Brilliantes also cautioned against sudden intake of very cold water after strenuous activity, which can cause serious health complications, and recommended avoiding direct sun exposure between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
She emphasized that government efforts must be matched by individual responsibility.
“Preparedness, education, and cooperation are our best defenses. Everyone has a role from conserving water and planting trees to practicing safe habits, to keep Baguio healthy, safe, and resilient through the dry season,” she said.
Health authorities assured continuous monitoring and regular updates, urging the public to stay informed and proactive as the city braces for the effects of the 2026–2027 El Niño. **JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR
