The earlier remark of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. about buying a bucket (balde) in preparation for the threat of Super El Niño has gone viral among netizens. In his statement, the President suggested buying buckets to collect and store water.

“Bumili na kayo ng balde para pag umulan makolekta na ninyo lahat,” he said

He said that the government is also ready to provide a guide on filtration steps to make sure that the collected water is clean and safe. Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro clarified this remark at a press briefing and stressed that the president’s statement should not be taken negatively. She said that the government will release a tutorial on water filtration. 

“Ang isa sa mga baldeng pinag-uusapan dito ay kung papaano magkaroon ng filtration ng tubig. Kung mag-iipon po kayo ng tubig, kapagka pumatak ang ulan ay maaari pong gamitin 'to at ituturo po sa inyo yung filtration,” she said

“Magsasagawa po mismo si Secretary Rex Gatchalian ng video patungkol po dito para po kayo ay maturuan,” she added

VP Duterte declines to comment on PBBM’s remark

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte declined to comment on the president’s statement.

“Hindi na ako magko-comment diyan sa balde-balde niya,” she said

She said that the Office of the Vice President is set to conduct an information dissemination campaign in preparation for the threat of Super El Niño in the country.

“Gagawa po kami ng information dissemination, educating para mas maintindihan nila: Ano ba yung El Niño? Ano ba yung epekto sa personal mo na buhay? Ano yung epekto niya sa komunidad natin? Ano yung epekto niya sa pagkain natin, sa presyo ng mga bilihin?” she said

The Vice President explained that the campaign will inform affected sectors of what they should do to survive and protect themselves and their livelihoods from the effects of El Niño.

Castro: Take the president’s advice seriously

Nevertheless, Usec. Castro said that the president’s suggestion on El Niño preparations should be taken seriously.

“Ang bawat mga binibigay na aral sa atin ng gobyerno at ng pangulo, ito ay dapat na sineseryoso,” she said

She also stated that obstructionists must have a bucket of brains to understand the plan of the president.

“Sa mga obstructionist po, itong sasabihin ko: Kailangan po talaga natin ng balde, baldeng utak para po maintindihan niyo po kung ano ang plano ng pangulo,” she said