Palace, DSWD taps Filipinos for El Niño potable water filtration system

Charmaine Delos Santos

The Malacañang Palace and the Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) highlighted a potable water filtration system as part of the plans for possible water shortages during the Super El Niño.

The initiative follows President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM)’s advice that Filipinos collect rainwater in a ‘balde’ [bucket] in preparation for the anticipated dry weather.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro defended Marcos’ recommendation after it drew criticism from those who questioned the practicality of asking households to prepare water supplies.

“Ito ay patungkol sa mga obstructionists na walang makitang positibo sa mga ginagawa ng Pangulo. Sa mga obstructionists po itong sasabihin ko. Kailangan po talaga natin ng balde-baldeng utak para maintindihan ninyo po kung ano ang plano ng Pangulo,” Castro said.

Castro urged critics to consider Marcos’ plans: “Sit down and listen kung ano ang sinasabi ng Pangulo.”

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian demonstrated the filtration system, which is designed to help communities process collected water, when access to safe drinking water becomes limited.

The filtration system is intended to provide an additional source of potable water, particularly for households in areas that may experience shortages during prolonged dry weather.

“Inatasan tayo ng Pangulo to make sure na mayroon tayong supply ng mga filter. Mayroon tayo sa mga bodega ho natin,” Gatchalian stated.

Gatchalian also mentioned that the filtration system was already demonstrated at the Luzon Disaster Risk Resource Center in 2025.

According to him, the Department of Health (DOH) has certified the filtration system to produce potable water under specified standards.