THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has proposed a P61.99-billion action plan to mitigate the anticipated effects of El Niño on food supply and the agriculture sector, particularly on farmers and fisherfolk.
In a statement on Monday, October 19, 2026, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the importance of early preparation to help farmers cope with potentially severe dry conditions, including access to drought-tolerant rice varieties and other appropriate agricultural inputs.
“Early preparation is crucial to minimizing production losses and protecting farmers’ livelihoods and the country’s food supply,” Tiu Laurel said.
The proposed spending package includes P6.2 billion already released under the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (Uplift) Program.
However, the DA said P371 million worth of proposed interventions remain unfunded. These include cloud seeding operations and measures to manage infestations of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), which affects sugarcane production.
The agency said the funding gap highlights the need to align preparedness plans with timely financing and implementation as the country braces for possible drought-related disruptions.
During the National El Niño Task Force meeting presided over by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace on October 13, the President directed the DA to submit a comprehensive accounting of cloud seeding operations, including the areas covered and corresponding budget allocations.
Marcos also instructed the department to explore importing drought-resistant rice seeds from India for possible distribution to farmers, subject to feasibility and implementation requirements.
He also called for intensified market surveillance and price monitoring of agricultural and fishery commodities to guard against manipulation, profiteering and other irregularities during the El Niño period.
The DA is preparing a prioritized list of beneficiaries to ensure assistance reaches vulnerable communities promptly and equitably.
The agency is also coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Labor and Employment on livelihood interventions. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)