Between January and March 2027, conditions are expected to deteriorate significantly, with approximately 79 provinces forecast to experience widespread drought. This will likely result in critical water supply constraints and substantial agricultural losses.
Relief is anticipated only in the second half of the year with the arrival of the monsoon season. In the interim, the public is strongly advised to prepare for potential water scarcity, rising food costs, power interruptions, increased utility expenses, and heightened public health risks.
In preparation for the El Niño crisis, the Bureau of Fire Protection — National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) recently conducted a two-day training session at the Somerset Hotel in Makati City focused on the operational deployment of advanced communications technology. The NEXiS Command and Unified Platform for Communications and Dispatch (UPCAD), paired with Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) devices, has been integrated into the Unified 911 emergency response system.
BFP personnel from the Regional Operations Division (ROD) and Fire Communication Operations Section, including dispatchers and operational responders learned about the proper usage of the revolutionary communication tools that would make BFP and other emergency units respond quickly to fire and other emergencies during the El Niño crisis and beyond.
The training highlighted PoC functions such as group communication, live broadcasting, transmission of photos and videos, and real-time geolocation monitoring that lets dispatchers track down the nearest responders within the location of an incident. The new tools also allow photos and videos to be sent through the device, helping command centers to monitor field units, share incident information and coordinate response more efficiently.
Chief of the Regional Operations Division FSUPT Elaine Baylon-Evangelista said the initiative is not simply about introducing new equipment but about strengthening operational discipline across the region.
“Radio communication should be a fundamental part of our firefighting operations, not just an option. Incident commanders need timely updates, dispatchers need accurate information, and responding personnel need to maintain communication with one another. We are strengthening our ability to coordinate resources, manage information, and maintain effective command and control during emergencies,” Baylon-Evangelista said.
According to Chief Fire Inspector Ely D. Timuat II, the PoCs will solve one of the primary problems encountered with the old radios that rely on radiowave frequency which limits their reach within certain districts and dead spots.
Far-flung areas in provinces or islands that have no radio frequencies, or when internet and radio signals are down, will benefit from the UPCAD’s (Nexis Command) advanced features. The units were already utilized and tested during the earthquakes in Mindanao.
Timuat said the Nexis Command would be valuable during El Niño because their GPS tracking ability can pinpoint the exact location of spreading grass or house fires so fire engines can be mobilized instantly to keep neighborhoods safe. Victims of heat stroke, severe dehydration or cardiovascular distress can also be quickly attended to because emergency calls made through Unified 911 bypass the need to search for specific hospital lines. Because the emergency communication system is connected to all LGUs, city or municipal rescue services can quickly respond to water or heat emergencies and quickly distribute local relief.
NGA 911, the public safety technology provider for the devices, presented technical features designed to enhance communication and information sharing among emergency responders.
Robert Llaguno, NGA 911 Country Head, noted: “The handheld devices operate on 4G and 5G networks, maintaining connectivity across varying signal conditions. Intelligent noise suppression improves audio clarity — critical during storms, fires, and high-noise environments. The system enables secure image and data transmission, delivering real-time visual context to command centers. Furthermore, its tiered communications feature prioritizes life-threatening emergencies over less urgent matters.”
The Unified Platform for Communications & Dispatch, via the NEXiS Command, forms part of NGA 911’s NEXiS Suite, supporting integrated emergency communications. It strengthens connectivity, situational awareness, and coordination from dispatch to field response. “These capabilities are vital during large-scale emergencies such as the anticipated Super El Niño,” stated Llaguno.
This technology is already deployed in emergency operations across the United States and Europe, including during recent civil unrest in France.
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