DA spokesperson Arnel De Mesa. (Photo from the Philippine News Agency)
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is assuring local farmers and fisherfolk that they will be given aid amid the threat of a severe El Niño event as the agency is expecting the release of a P6.2 billion budget from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
In a statement, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa disclosed that the aid is targeted to help farmers and fisherfolk with their fuel and fertilizer needs in preparation for the upcoming El Niño season.
“(The) El Niño this year will be severe and we must be prepared. We’re really preparing,” De Mesa pointed out.
“We’re just waiting for the Special Allotment Release Order to be released under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program,” he added.
The assistant secretary explained that “what the DA will do is to maximize (the) yield in those areas that will not be affected by El Niño.”
As for the proposed rice imports, De Mesa cited that the DA is balancing efforts to boost local rice production while maintaining imports to secure buffer stocks amid looming supply concerns for next year.
“We are focusing on local production, but at the same time, we won’t halt imports, we need them to boost our stocks. The issue we face regarding rice supply—not necessarily right now, but looking ahead to next year—is the potential impact of the dry season harvest in March or April,” he noted.
As of end-August, rice imports have reached 3.67 million metric tons, higher than the 2.95 million metric tons of rice imported in the same period last year.
“This is based from data issued by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
Rice imports this year might be higher than that of last year,” De Mesa projected even as he asserted that the country’s rice supply for the rest of the year is expected to remain stable.
However, the effects of the prolonged dry spell may be felt in early 2027 and could worsen later that year if La Niña follows.
“So, we do not foresee an impact from El Niño on our overall supply this year. The potential impact will likely occur in the first semester of next year, depending on the severity and duration of the El Niño event; furthermore, a severe El Niño is typically followed by La Niña toward the end of 2027, making 2027 a more challenging year than 2026,” he highlighted.
In addition to preparations for the El Niño, the DA is seeking an additional budget for solar irrigation projects to prepare for the expected drought.
“We’re asking for maybe up to P5-billion budget for solar irrigation in the National Expenditure Program,” he said while stressing that this would help farmers with small scale irrigation.