MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the National Food Authority (NFA) to step up palay purchases and expand warehouse capacity as the government moves to secure food supplies ahead of the expected effects of El Niño.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Monday that the NFA had been instructed to purchase as much palay as possible during the remaining harvest season to replenish government rice reserves.
“Bumibili nang bumibili ang NFA, ubusin ang kanilang pera, para mapuno iyong ating mga NFA warehouses with the rice,” Tiu Laurel said.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is also intensifying production support in farming areas where sufficient water remains available. Measures include providing additional seeds and fertilizer and deploying solar-powered irrigation systems and pumps.
Tiu Laurel said cloud-seeding operations are also being considered to help increase rainfall over agricultural areas.
The government plans to concentrate additional farm inputs in areas with adequate water in hopes of increasing production and offsetting potential losses in drought-affected areas.
Marcos also directed the DA to prepare a work plan for farmers and fisherfolk who may temporarily lose their livelihoods during the height of El Niño.
Tiu Laurel said the government is considering tapping programs such as TUPAD to provide alternative sources of income. Farmers and fisherfolk could be employed in activities such as canal construction and land preparation while agricultural production is limited.
The government is also maintaining food reserves as a safeguard against possible supply disruptions.
According to Tiu Laurel, the country currently has an estimated rice supply sufficient for about 75 days, while chicken stocks could last 125 days, pork 170 days and corn 90 days.
The measures form part of broader government preparations for El Niño, which is expected to affect agricultural production and water availability in several parts of the country.
