DA sets aside P9.7 billion for El Niño response

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked P9.7 billion to fund additional response measures ahead of the “very strong” El Niño episode next month. The agency will allocate P6.2 billion in fuel and fertilizer intervention to farmers and fisherfolk, while an additional P3.5 billion has been requested to fund several solar irrigation projects throughout the country. The support will be funded under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program, which provides support to vulnerable sectors affected by the fuel crisis. In a press briefing, DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the agency has already received a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) from the Department of Budget and Management to begin the implementation of the fuel and fertilizer assistance. “This is fertilizer support and fuel assistance to those who are affected by the fuel crisis and in preparation for the upcoming El Niño,” he said. Broken down, about P2.2 billion will be issued to fund biofertilizers, P1 billion each as fuel assistance for both farmers and fisherfolk, another P1 billion under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) and P1 billion in fuel subsidy for agri-transport. De Mesa said an additional P3.5 billion has been requested to put up solar irrigation projects in provinces that will be less affected by the weather event. “We have identified the areas already. We want to maximize the areas that are not affected by El Niño, but irrigation is lacking, so we will increase solar irrigation there,” he said. He added the DA is now waiting for the issuance of the SARO from the DBM before it could move forward with the project implementation. De Mesa said the agency hopes the funding would be cleared within the fourth quarter, in time for the onset of the El Niño. The state weather bureau PAGASA said earlier that the very strong El Niño would begin by October and could intensify by the first half of next year. The weather event was last experienced in 2024, with total damage to agriculture reaching P15.3 billion and causing a 3.3-percent decline in the country’s agriculture and fisheries production.