(DC file photo)
The national government has allocated Php 7.86 billion in disaster response funds to address the worsening effects of a strong El Niño, which has already caused billions of pesos in agricultural losses across the Philippines.
The government has adopted a whole-of-government approach to managing water and food supplies as the country prepares for more severe conditions, with El Niño expected to persist until the first half of 2027.
During the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spokesperson and Disaster Preparedness Service Director Vic Tomas said approximately Php 76.4 million in initial assistance has already been distributed to affected regions.
The assistance, provided through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), OCD, and other government agencies, has benefited communities in Cagayan Valley, Bicol, Calabarzon, and Caraga.
Tomas said the DSWD has distributed food and non-food assistance, along with atmospheric water systems designed to produce potable water.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has provided climate-resilient seeds and crops to help farmers cope with the prolonged dry conditions.
The OCD has also initiated the early procurement of water pumps and desalination systems to strengthen drinking water and irrigation supplies in affected communities.
Local government units may also utilize up to five percent of their quick reaction funds to support disaster response efforts, Tomas said.
Government data showed that agricultural damage attributed to El Niño has reached approximately Php 6.87 billion, affecting around 223,000 farmers and fisherfolk nationwide.
“Kaya ‘yung intervention ay ginawa na po ng kaukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan,” Tomas said, emphasizing the importance of early government action.
Apart from the Php 7.86-billion disaster response allocation, the government has earmarked an additional Php 6.68 billion under its disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction program.
The funding is intended to assist El Niño-affected provinces, particularly those that have declared a state of calamity.
“Ngayon po, talagang binibigyan po talaga ng pansin ‘yung ating early response measures and maagap po na pagtugon sa epekto po ng El Niño. So handa naman po,” Tomas said.
He emphasized that addressing the impacts of El Niño requires cooperation among national agencies, local governments, and communities.
“But again, this is not just national government alone or local government alone. It is a whole-of-nation, whole-of-government, and whole-of-community approach,” he added.
Latest government figures indicate that at least 123,635 families across more than 1,000 areas in Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga are experiencing the effects of the weather phenomenon.
Tomas urged the public to conserve water, prepare for possible supply disruptions, and follow official government advisories as authorities continue implementing measures to mitigate the effects of El Niño.
