A resolution has been filed at the Senate seeking an inquiry into the government’s preparedness for the expected El Niño and the adequacy of measures to protect farmers, fisherfolk, food security, water resources and livelihoods.
Senate Resolution No. 515, filed by Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Tuesday, called for an assessment of the readiness of the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and other concerned agencies to provide “timely and adequate assistance” to affected communities.
Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, cited warnings from international climate experts that the ongoing El Niño could reach “record levels of intensity,” bringing droughts, floods, extreme heat and other severe weather conditions worldwide.
He also cited the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) forecast that a “strong” El Niño may persist from the August-September-October 2026 season through the first half of 2027.
“Napakalaking dagok na naman ito sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda, pati na rin sa ating mga mamimili. Sa bawat hirap na dinadanas sa sakahan at sa ating fishing grounds, dagdag pasanin na naman sa ating mga kababayan dahil magkukulang ang supply ng pagkain at mamahal ang bilihin sa merkado (This will be another major blow to our farmers and fisherfolk, as well as to consumers. Every hardship experienced in our farms and fishing grounds adds to the burden of our people because it leads to food supply shortages and higher prices of goods in the market),” Pangilinan said in a statement Wednesday.
PAGASA’s latest projections showed that 49 provinces may experience dry spells and 29 others may experience dry conditions by the end of the year. Prolonged dry spells and drought are also likely during the first half of 2027.
The DA has warned that a strong El Niño could reduce national rice production by as much as 700,000 metric tons, threatening rice supply, farmers’ incomes, and food price stability.
The Senate resolution noted that reduced rainfall and declining water availability could disrupt irrigation, delay planting, reduce crop, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture production, increase production costs, lower farmers’ and fisherfolk’s incomes, and drive up food prices.
“There is, therefore, a need to determine whether the government’s plans, budget, and interventions are sufficient, properly targeted, and ready for implementation before El Niño becomes more severe, particularly in relation to irrigation and water management, seeds and planting schedules, crop insurance, credit assistance, livestock and fisheries support, and food supply contingency measures,” the resolution stated. (PNA)
