Ejercito: Prioritize water impounding facilities for Super El Niño

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture and other related government agencies should prioritize setting up water impounding facilities to prepare for the impact of the so-called Super El Niño, Sen. JV Ejercito said in a statement.

During the hearing of the DA budget for 210927 on Wednesday, Ejercito emphasized that water storage infrastructure could both mitigate flooding during the rainy season and ensure water for irrigation during dry periods.

“Every rainy season, we get so much rainwater. But when it’s the dry season, there’s really nothing,” Ejercito pointed out during the hearing.

“If we continue adding more irrigation canals and others, but there’s no water to flow in them, it’s just a waste. We will be hitting two birds with one stone here: we will be providing irrigation, and we will be mitigating floods at the same time,” he added.

READ: El Niño affects over 451000 people in PH – NDRRMC

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. threw his full support behind Ejercito’s proposal, pointing out that the Philippines loses an estimated P500 billion worth of rainfall annually to the sea due to a lack of retention infrastructure. 

According to Laurelm, the DA is coordinating with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prioritize dams, water impounding structures, and major canals and waterways for agriculture.

Ejercito also backed the inclusion of the P10-billion Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program in the national budget to give direct, immediate aid to vulnerable agricultural workers in anticipation of severe dry spells.

“I got worried when funds were shifted, but seeing that this is for direct assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in anticipation of El Niño, I agree with this matter,” Ejercito said.

Aid to fisherfolk, sugar farmers

Ejercito also probed the distribution of aid to Filipino fisherfolk facing continuous harassment in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), highlighting the need for fuel subsidies and a continuous maritime presence. 

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed that P1 billion in fuel assistance was being distributed alongside vessel deployments in key regions.

As the principal author of the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA), Ejercito also expressed concern over the double threat facing sugarcane farmers — extreme drought brought by Super El Niño and the devastating infestation of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI).

READ: Super El Niño demands urgent, science-based governance

“With the intent of reviving the sugar industry… sometimes we just don’t get lucky. We get hit with pestilence,” Ejercito said.

According to Ejercito, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and the DA committed to coordinating on the timing of sugar importation to protect local planters already suffering yield losses.

“We understand that, because of all these factors, we need to import due to a shortage. But the timing [of the importation is an issue]. I’m hoping we can get your commitment that SRA will only issue authority to import, not during harvest season,” he said. /atm