Malacañang said the government’s preparations for the expected Super El Niño go beyond collecting water in buckets, responding to online criticism of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s remarks.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the bucket was only one part of several interventions being undertaken by government agencies to reduce the effects of the weather phenomenon.
She cited the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Labor and Employment and other offices involved in El Niño preparations. Those offices are among the agencies preparing for El Niño.
Castro explained that the bucket mentioned by Marcos was connected to the distribution of free filtration systems. These systems are intended to help clean rainwater collected for use.
The Palace issued the clarification after online critics compared the bucket-related measure with the reported ₱50 million reward for the arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Castro urged the public to understand the president’s full statement rather than base their reactions on selected portions.
She maintained that the bucket was not being presented as the administration’s only response to the expected Super El Niño.
The Palace did not provide further details in the statement about the other interventions being implemented by the agencies.
