Due to the imminent threat of drought and water shortage anticipated with the Super El Niño, plastic buckets have become a “best seller” in Baclaran Market shops in Parañaque City, reported RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort.

Previously, only three to four buckets would be sold in a day. At present, up to 10 buckets have been sold daily. For over a week now, their sales have tripled despite prices remaining the same, said several vendors.

Small pails can be bought at ₱110 to ₱195, while those that cost between ₱260 and ₱325 sell the most.

The biggest buckets available among market shops can be bought for ₱625 to ₱850. These include a lid each, but are not primarily sought out due to their prices.

Buyers said this was part of their preparation for possible interruptions in water supply, as well as for the collection of rainwater, citing the importance of water in daily living—whether it is used for cooking, cleaning, bathing, or other essential tasks.

Previously, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. advised Filipinos to buy buckets to store rainwater in, while the government readies the country to face the possible impacts of the El Niño.

Speaking to DZRH, Ana Liza Solis of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) – Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section said this year’s El Niño may be the most severe since 1950, based on estimations made by the World Meteorological Organization.