Recto urges faster spending ahead of El Niño

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has urged government agencies to accelerate spending in the fourth quarter, particularly on programs to prepare for the expected El Niño, as government disbursements grew by 7.5 percent in the first three quarters of 2026.

“We have one more quarter to improve spending for the year. Let’s get our acts together in the fourth quarter,” Recto said during a meeting with government officials on Thursday.

“Spend and start doing early procurement, especially on programs that would strengthen our response against El Niño. This way, we can fully catch up in the first quarter of next year,” he added.

The Office of the Executive Secretary said priorities for the remaining months include education, health, infrastructure, transportation, cash assistance and employment support.

The push comes as PAGASA projects a Super El Niño from later this year through the first half of 2027, with the most severe dry conditions expected from November to April. The weather event could disrupt agricultural, fisheries and livestock production, threatening food supplies and adding to price pressures.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said P45 billion had been set aside for the government’s El Niño response, with P6.2 billion already released to protect food production and stabilize prices. He said the government was prepared to resort to measures such as importation when necessary while assisting farmers, fisherfolk and agricultural truckers facing higher production and transportation costs.

Food inflation accelerated to 6.8 percent in September from 4.6 percent in August and 0.8 percent a year earlier, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Food accounted for 34.4 percent, or 2.5 percentage points, of overall inflation that month, making stable food supplies a key concern as the dry season approaches.

Economists have warned that a severe El Niño could push inflation higher in the coming months, with the risk also weighing on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ monetary policy outlook.

In a separate meeting with government agencies, Recto stressed the need to complete preparations before the weather phenomenon takes hold.

“Preparedness is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to act early. Our job is to make sure that when the effects of El Niño come, the government is ready and Filipinos are protected,” he said.

“El Niño will not affect every area in the same way. The risks and needs of one community may be different from those of another. We need to know where the risks are greatest and make sure our response matches the situation in each area,” Recto added.