Senators are pressing the government to step up preparations for the effects of El Niño, with calls for stronger protection for outdoor workers, safeguards for children’s health and the immediate release of assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk.
Senator Loren Legarda wants workers exposed to extreme heat, particularly farmers, construction workers and fisherfolk, to be given safer working hours and additional compensation when they cannot avoid working under dangerous conditions.
“Hindi naman puwedeng sabihan lang natin ang mga manggagawa na umiwas sa init. Paano ang magsasakang kailangang magtrabaho sa bukid? Paano ang construction worker na kailangang kumita para sa kaniyang pamilya? Kung alam nating delikado na ang init, dapat may malinaw na paraan para maprotektahan sila nang hindi nawawala ang kanilang kabuhayan,” she said.
Under the third point of her 10-Point Policy Action Plan against El Niño, Legarda is proposing that physically demanding outdoor work be moved to cooler hours, particularly when the heat index reaches 42 degrees Celsius. She also wants climate hazard pay considered for workers whose duties cannot be rescheduled.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, wants local government units to coordinate with the Department of Health, Department of Education and water utilities to protect children from heat-related illnesses, dehydration, waterborne diseases and malnutrition.
“Sa pagtugon natin sa banta ng El Niño, tiyakin nating maitataguyod ang kaligtasan, kalusugan, at kapakanan ng mga bata, lalo na’t kabilang sila sa mga higit na nanganganib sa masamang epekto nito,” he said.
Gatchalian also called for adequate supplies of oral rehydration solutions and essential medicines, as well as contingency measures to ensure the continuity of feeding programs.
Meanwhile, 20 senators are asking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a state of calamity in areas affected or threatened by super El Niño to speed up government assistance.
They filed Proposed Senate Resolution 765 citing mounting agricultural losses and the slow delivery of assistance.
“Planting season ngayon sa ating mga palayan, at kailangan ng tubig. Kailangan mag-plant din tayo ng mga remedial measure tulad ng pag-impose ng price ceilings, at laban sa overpricing, profiteering, at hoarding,” former presidential adviser on agriculture Senator Francis Pangilinan said.
The resolution cited around P6.87 billion in agricultural losses involving 249,028 hectares as of September 26, 2026, equivalent to 43 percent of the losses recorded during the entire 2023-2024 El Niño.
It also noted that only 2.53 million of the Department of Agriculture’s 11.12 million target beneficiaries had received assistance, or just 22.8 percent.
The senators want the government to mobilize available disaster funds and prioritize farm inputs, irrigation and water support, livestock assistance, crop insurance and food assistance for affected communities.IMT
