(Photo courtesy of Senate)
MANILA – Senator Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday, October 21, urged the government to consider declaring a nationwide state of calamity as agricultural damage caused by El Niño reached Php 6.87 billion, threatening food production and farmers’ livelihoods.
During the Senate Committee on Finance hearing on the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) proposed 2027 budget, Pangilinan called for stronger government intervention amid warnings that El Niño could intensify and persist through the first half of next year.
“The executive department should seriously consider a state of calamity declaration so that we can better address the challenge of the Super El Niño,” Pangilinan said.
Citing DA data, the senator said agricultural losses had already reached Php 6.87 billion as of September 26, even before the weather phenomenon’s anticipated peak.
“The urgency is already measurable,” he stressed.
Pangilinan also raised concerns over the DA’s projection that palay production could decline by 700,000 metric tons in the second half of 2026 due to El Niño and other weather disturbances.
He said the projected production shortfall could have supplied the annual rice requirements of approximately 3.6 million Filipinos.
The senator also questioned delays in government assistance, noting that only 2.53 million of the targeted 11.2 million beneficiaries had received support as of October 6.
He called for faster distribution of aid to farming communities struggling with water shortages, damaged crops, and disrupted livelihoods.
The Office of Civil Defense earlier reported that around 223,000 farmers and fisherfolk had been affected by El Niño-related agricultural damage.
The government has allocated Php 7.86 billion for disaster response, while several local government units have already declared states of calamity.
Water security, irrigation funding prioritized
Pangilinan emphasized that water security and irrigation infrastructure must be central to the proposed 2027 national budget to protect agricultural production against worsening drought conditions.
“Dapat maging central ng 2027 budget ang tubig at irrigation,” he said.
His appeal came amid proposed combined budget reductions of Php 35.36 billion for the DA, National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and Department of Agrarian Reform.
The DA’s proposed 2027 allocation stands at Php 198.45 billion, down Php 17.25 billion from its 2026 budget.
Meanwhile, the NIA faces a proposed Php 16.89-billion reduction, bringing its allocation to Php 46.36 billion.
Pangilinan said the Senate would examine delays in agricultural infrastructure projects, underutilized funds, and other issues affecting the government’s drought response.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. acknowledged the difficulties confronting the agriculture sector, including higher fuel and fertilizer costs and increasing climate-related risks.
“We will also invest in climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and biosecurity,” Tiu Laurel told senators.
The DA earlier presented a Php 61.99-billion El Niño action plan aimed at protecting agricultural production and supporting affected rural communities.
Of the amount allocated for government interventions, Php 6.2 billion has already been released under the UPLIFT program.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that El Niño could develop into a very strong episode before the end of 2026 and continue through the first half of 2027.
The weather bureau said the prolonged dry conditions could increase the risk of drought and water shortages in vulnerable areas, potentially placing additional pressure on the country’s agricultural production and food supply.
