THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it proposed a P61.99-billion plan to mitigate the impact of El Niño on food production and rural livelihoods, adding that an estimated P371 million in further interventions remain unfunded.
Undersecretary for Operations Roger V. Navarro reported that the plan was presented at the National El Niño Task Force meeting presided over by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at the Palace on Oct. 13, according to a memorandum outlining the meeting’s highlights.
The proposed spending package includes P6.2 billion already released for the government’s UPLIFT Program, consisting of monthly livelihood support payouts running until December.
“We need to plan ahead and ensure farmers have the support they need to cope with a potentially severe El Niño, including access to drought-tolerant rice varieties and other appropriate inputs,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said. “Early preparation is crucial to minimizing production losses and protecting farming livelihoods and the food supply.”
Among the unfunded measures are cloud-seeding operations and measures to manage the red-striped soft scale insect infestation affecting sugarcane production.
Mr. Marcos ordered the DA to submit details of its cloud-seeding operations, including proposed coverage areas. He also ordered the DA to explore importing drought-resistant rice seed from India.
The President also ordered close market surveillance and price monitoring to deter price manipulation and profiteering during the El Niño period.
The DA was further tasked with preparing a priority beneficiary list to ensure assistance reaches vulnerable communities.