(Photo by PCO)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to prepare a comprehensive work plan addressing the projected effects of El Niño on farmers and fisherfolk and detailing the government interventions that will be provided to affected sectors.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the directive was issued during a meeting in Malacañang on Monday, where various government agencies presented updates and preparations for the El Niño phenomenon, which began this October and could persist until March 2027.
Tiu Laurel said the government is coordinating with other agencies, including the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to provide assistance to communities expected to suffer from prolonged dry conditions.
For areas where planting may no longer be feasible, DSWD programs will be tapped to support affected families. Farmers in areas where production can continue may receive fuel, fertilizer and transport subsidies, as well as seeds and other agricultural inputs.
The President also instructed the DA to hold regular meetings to finalize the details of interventions and ensure timely assistance to the agriculture sector.
Tiu Laurel encouraged farmers in irrigated areas to proceed with planting, assuring them of continued government support to sustain production despite the expected dry spell.
Fisherfolk will also receive assistance, including fuel support and solar-powered equipment needed for transportation and fishing activities in the coming months.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said the effects of El Niño have already begun to emerge from August to October and are expected to intensify from December to February.
Its broader impacts could persist through the first half of 2027, the agency said.
