Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Calbayog City, and San Jorge will hold tabletop and scenario workshops this October to prepare for an El Niño to La Niña phenomenon. (insert description from DOST-PAGASA about Super El Niño)
The agreement came out of an October 12, 2026 coordination meeting among NwSSU’s Center for Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight (CFTSF), the University (spell out ang DRRM) Council, and officials from both local government units. Representatives from the water, agriculture and fisheries, energy, and health sectors, along with barangays and the University, will take part (in the what?)
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has placed Samar under drought since September and expects it to last through March 2027, while still anticipating three to five tropical cyclones. Calbayog has declared a state of calamity four times since 2022, all because of floods.
Dr. Jonah L. Salcedo, CFTSF Director and Head of the Planning Office, said the LGUs hold the authority to declare a state of calamity, release quick response funds, and order evacuations, while NwSSU contributes data, research, and a neutral venue for planning.
Resident Futurist Emmanuel R. de Guia said the greatest danger lies in the handover between drought and flood, when a city must shift from saving water to evacuating families. “Foresight is not predicting the storm. It is deciding, while it is quiet, who will do what when it comes,” he said.
The workshops will use scenarios, early-warning signals, and a map of who may declare rationing, begin flood readiness, or release funds, guided by the ground rule “No owner, no commitment.”
NwSSU will provide weather-station data, research, and facilitation, building on its 2023 and 2025 flood-risk agreements with Calbayog and extending them to drought and to San Jorge. Both LGUs also asked for scenario planning, community information materials, and GIS mapping and climate modeling. The schedule and venues will be announced soon.
Assigning clear owners before the next weather shock will help Calbayog and San Jorge turn forecasts into timely decisions for their communities.