Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. are backing calls for a national state of calamity as El Niño threatens agricultural production and the country’s food supply.
Pangilinan raised the proposal during a Department of Agriculture (DA) budget hearing on October 21, citing agency data showing that five regions were already being affected by the weather phenomenon.
“Ang tanong rin, hindi ba dapat dahil limang rehiyon na ang tinatamaan ng El Niño base sa datos ng DA, hindi ba dapat mag dekara na ng national state of calamity ang ating national government para magkaroon na ng dagdag na suporta at pondo dahil nga narito na ang El Niño?” he said in his opening statement.
The senator said prolonged drought could damage crops, disrupt fisheries and threaten the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk.
“I believe the executive department should seriously consider a state of calamity declaration so we can better address the challenges of Super El Niño,” he added.
Tiu Laurel agreed that the government should act quickly.
“That is a very good idea, in my opinion, and I do agree that mas maganda mag-declare tayo dahil from all indications, it’s a super El Niño—PAGASA, you know everybody in the world is saying it, so I think we better act fast, Mr. Chair,” the agriculture chief said.
Pangilinan is also pushing for the approval of the DA’s proposed P171.3-billion budget for 2027, with irrigation among the priorities.
“Ang national budget na ito ang gagamitin para tuloy na makapagtanim at makapangisda ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda, para merong sapat na suplay ang ating mga pamilihan at makakayanan (bilhin) ng pamilyang Pilipino ang kanilang susunod na kakainin,” he said.
The weather bureau has warned that El Niño’s effects could last until the first half of 2027. The DA estimates that rice production could fall by about 700,000 metric tons in the second half of next year.
High temperatures and water shortages could also affect livestock, fishponds and fisheries.IMT
