Philippines Proposes P61.99-Billion El Niño Action Plan to Protect Agriculture and Food Supply
The Department of Agriculture has proposed a P61.99-billion action plan to protect food production and rural livelihoods from the anticipated effects of El Niño, with P371 million in proposed interventions still lacking funding, according to SunStar Philippines. The spending package aims to mitigate dry conditions for farmers and fisherfolk, building on P6.2 billion already released under the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport Program.
Early Preparation and Funding Gaps for Drought Interventions
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the necessity of early preparation to minimize production losses. SunStar Philippines reported that the proposed budget provides farmers with access to drought-tolerant rice varieties and essential agricultural inputs. However, the agency noted that P371 million in proposed measures remains unfunded. These missing allocations cover cloud seeding operations and controls for red-striped soft scale insect infestations that threaten sugarcane production.
Task Force Directives and Presidential Instructions
During a National El Niño Task Force meeting presided over by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace, leadership reviewed comprehensive mitigation steps. Daily Tribune reported that President Marcos directed the agriculture department to submit a detailed accounting of cloud seeding operations, including target areas and budget allocations. The President also instructed officials to explore importing drought-resistant rice seeds from India for distribution to farmers.
To protect consumers, Marcos ordered intensified market surveillance and price monitoring of agricultural and fishery commodities to prevent profiteering and supply manipulation. Additional directives included location-specific public information campaigns, energy and water conservation in government offices, and early procurement. The Department of Social Welfare and Development deployed its Project LAWA and BINHI cash-for-work initiative, while the Department of Labor and Employment prepared the Trabahong-Dagat and Blue Enterprise Development Program to assist potentially affected fisherfolk.
Regional Preparations and Supply Sufficiency in Central Visayas
Regional offices are positioning local buffer stocks and logistics ahead of the dry spell. The Department of Agriculture regional office in Central Visayas stated that the area has enough rice, pork, chicken, and eggs to last through December, according to the Philippine Information Agency. Elvin Milleza, chief of DA-7’s Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division, noted that the region produced about 248,000 metric tons of rice in 2025, while supplementary imports arrived from Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar between August and October 2026.
Regional livestock and subsidy programs are actively supporting producers. African Swine Fever impacts remain managed through strict port controls and commercial farm biosecurity zones. Meanwhile, the Fuel Assistance for Farmers Program targets 7,422 farmers in Central Visayas for 2026, granting P5,000 each to operators of machinery such as tractors and mud boats, as detailed by the Philippine Information Agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of the total El Niño action plan remains unfunded?
According to SunStar Philippines, P371 million in proposed interventions remains unfunded out of the total P61.99-billion budget.
Which specific agricultural pest and intervention lack current financing?
The unfunded measures include cloud seeding operations and management controls for infestations of the red-striped soft scale insect affecting sugarcane production, as reported by Daily Tribune.
What financial assistance is available for machinery operators?
The Fuel Assistance for Farmers Program provides farmers who use machinery like tractors and mud boats with a P5,000 subsidy, according to the Philippine Information Agency.
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