House to agencies: Ensure P6.2-B El Niño aid reaches farmers, fisherfolk

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives called on government agencies on Wednesday to ensure that P6.2 billion in El Niño assistance reaches affected farmers and fisherfolk as worsening droughts threaten agricultural production.

The House Committee on Agriculture and Food, chaired by Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, continued its inquiry under House Resolution No. 967, introduced by Sultan Kudarat Rep. Bella Vanessa Suansing, to review government preparedness, funding, and measures to protect agricultural livelihoods.

The inquiry follows a briefing conducted by Enverga’s committee in June, when the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Task Force El Niño presented government preparations and planned interventions to address the effects of the weather phenomenon.

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“I wish to emphasize that this inquiry is conducted upon the personal instruction of the Honorable Speaker Faustino Bojie Dy III to ensure that allocated public funds and relief budgets are fully, transparently, and directly implemented for our severely hit beneficiaries,” Enverga said.

He said Congress wants to determine whether the initial P6.2 billion released under the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport — or Uplift — program for fuel, fertilizer, and direct assistance is reaching more than 310,000 targeted small farmers and fisherfolk.

“We must verify whether field disbursements in hit regions are reaching intended beneficiaries,” Enverga said.

The committee is also examining a P371-million funding gap for critical interventions, including specialized cloud seeding and measures against pests threatening sugarcane production.

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Enverga said the DA’s proposed P61.99-billion consolidated action plan must produce concrete results for agricultural communities.

“Our duty in Congress is to ensure that strategy translates directly into protection on the ground,” he said.

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Enverga emphasized the need for stronger coordination among government agencies, transparent distribution of assistance, and immediate action to address funding shortages. /atm

He stressed that farmers and fisherfolk could no longer afford delays as their crops and livelihoods face growing threats.

“Farmers and fisherfolk can no longer wait. We’re asking all agencies who attended today for sure and honest responses so that we can deliver quick and focused assistance to our agriculture sector,” Enverga said in Filipino.

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For her part, Suansing said the latest hearing provided an opportunity to assess what government agencies have accomplished since the June briefing and what additional measures are needed to protect farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers.

She said the government must also prepare for the broader effects of El Niño on water security, energy, health, livelihoods, and social protection.

Suansing sought updates on the implementation of Republic Act No. 12287, or the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act, particularly whether disaster declarations have resulted in the release of funds for preventive measures.

She also urged the DA to expand drought-resistant farming technologies and alternative livelihood programs, especially for rice farmers.

“We hope to hear from the DA on the updates of their commitments on upscaling these efforts from last June as well as their commitments and their mandate to provide for alternative sources of income and livelihood for our farmers and our fisherfolk,” Suansing said.

The lawmaker warned that prolonged droughts could also trigger conflicts among communities competing for limited water supplies and fertile land.

She said government preparedness must extend beyond agriculture and address the long-term effects of climate change.

“Because really this issue, the issue of how we prepare, the issue of how we respond, and how we plan for El Niño, for climate change is not just, it’s not an issue of industry. It’s really an issue of human and national security,” Suansing said.

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The hearing brought together representatives from the DA, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the National Irrigation Administration, and other government agencies, along with private agricultural groups. /atm