‘Balde’ just one of the El Niño measures Marcos Jr. mentioned — Palace

MANILA— The Palace on Tuesday defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from public criticism of his suggestion for Filipinos to collect rainwater in pails and buckets in anticipation of the El Niño phenomenon.

The comment earned him flak from social media users who said it was not the government response they were hoping for.

“Hindi lang po ang Pilipinas, may mga ibang bansa na talaga nag-iipon ng tubig – at ano ang gamit? Hindi po ito pagkaniya-kaniya,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

(It is not just the Philippines. Other countries also collect water — and where do they put it? This is not the government abandoning you.)

Castro asserted Marcos laid out more measures than just the “balde” remark, and that he also spoke about cloud seeding and water filtration.

She said critics should “sit down and listen” to the full remarks.

Castro said that some critics are “obstructionists” who have nothing positive to say about Marcos Jr. and his policies.

“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,” she said.

(To the obstructionists, I say: We do need pails — pails of brains so you can understand what the president’s plans are.)

The comment may be a reference to a saying in Filipino about someone not being around when intelligence and talent “rained down” from the heavens.

Marcos on Tuesday met with the government agencies focusing on the El Niño response, which includes the Department of Agricuture, Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The Palace said Marcos is focused on the weather phenomenon’s anticipated effects on water supply, food security, and energy.

It asserted the government is on top of the situation and ready to respond on its effects.

“Siniseryoso ng pangulo ang magaganap at nagaganap na at maaaring mag-worsen sa mga susunod na buwan,” it said.

(The president is taking what is happening seriously and knows it can worsen in coming months.)