Extreme weather and rising input costs drove a 5 percent decline in Philippine agriculture and fisheries production during the third quarter, valued at PHP389.42 billion, the Philippine News Agency reported, citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Crops including palay and corn suffered steep drops as farmers faced spiking fertilizer prices alongside flooding from the southwest monsoon.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the administration has prepared funds and interventions to counter the looming effects of a very strong El Niño, which the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported is active in the tropical Pacific.
“We have mapped out a PHP62-billion El Niño response plan that will leverage new technologies, innovations, targeted interventions, and collaboration with various government agencies to mitigate the impact of the climate risk on agriculture,” said Tiu Laurel.
Billion-Peso Farm Losses
Agricultural damage and losses linked to El Niño have reached PHP9.99 billion across 16 regions, according to an update from the Department of Agriculture-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center reported by The Manila Times. The disaster affected 324,327 farmers and damaged 323,319 hectares of agricultural land, destroying 288,424 metric tons of production.
Sunstar reported that corn sustained the largest share of these losses at PHP5.63 billion, while rice damage reached PHP3.65 billion. High-value crops recorded PHP655.74 million in losses, and livestock and poultry recorded PHP40.83 million in damages affecting 8,089 animals.
To combat these impacts, the Department of Agriculture has provided PHP18.64 billion in initial assistance, which includes PHP10.82 billion in agricultural inputs and PHP6.26 billion in financial support, Sunstar reported.
Fisherfolk Livelihood Pressures
Small-scale fishers in coastal communities face severe heat-related health risks and reduced catch hours as extreme temperatures persist at sea. “Nagkakasakit sila sa balat. Nagkakabitak-bitak ang mga balat nila. Prone sila sa heat stroke. May isa akong member, nasira na ang mata dahil sa reflection ng araw sa tubig,” fisherfolk leader Aya Gatuslao told the Inquirer.
Fisherfolk leaders told the Inquirer that poverty forces crews to venture out despite dangerous conditions, heading out before dawn and returning by mid-morning to avoid high heat.
Environmental groups have urged authorities to prioritize long-term adaptation measures and diversify livelihoods rather than rely solely on short-term cash handouts.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed financial assistance to El Niño-vulnerable fisherfolk in Romblon towns such as Ferrol and Santa Fe, prioritizing households facing income losses during poor weather and declining fish availability, Philstar.com reported.
“Instead of allowing losses to unfold with every disaster, the DA-BFAR should redouble its efforts and investments in diversifying fisherfolk livelihoods, restoring marine habitats, and implementing measures that protect both our oceans and the economic future of our fisherfolk,” Hernandez said.
Livestock and Poultry Production Shows Resilience Despite Crop Falls
While crop production fell, the livestock and poultry subsectors showed resilience by accounting for nearly 37 percent of total agrifishery output in the third quarter. Poultry production expanded by 4.9 percent to reach PHP79.67 billion, and livestock production rose by 1.1 percent to PHP61.17 billion.
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Christopher Morales emphasized the necessity of investing in water management infrastructure to handle both droughts and excess water during La Niña episodes.
“Water management infrastructure will not only help us cope with droughts but also allow us to store excess water during La Niña episodes,” said Morales.
“And the DA will not do this alone. This El Niño plan will be carried through a whole-of-government approach,” Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
How Long El Niño Will Persist and Crop Losses Reported
How long is the current El Niño expected to persist?
Pagasa reported that the very strong El Niño is expected to persist until the first half of 2027 and potentially reach its peak by the end of 2026, according to The Manila Times.
What were the specific volume losses for major staple crops?
Rice production dropped by 18 percent to 3.08 million metric tons, and corn output declined by 17 percent to 2 million metric tons, the Philippine News Agency reported.
Which regions experienced agricultural damage from the drought?
The Department of Agriculture-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center listed 16 affected regions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Negros Island, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.
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