Philippines' agriculture department proposes nearly P62 billion plan to offset El Niño effects

The Department of Agriculture announced a P61.99-billion strategy to mitigate the anticipated impact of El Niño on food production and livelihoods. Key measures include distributing drought-resistant rice varieties, providing mechanized-equipment subsidies to farmers, and supplying fuel subsidies to fisherfolk. Of the total, P6.2 billion is already covered by the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Program, but P371 million earmarked for cloud seeding and red-striped soft scale insect control lacks funding.

The department will work with the Department of Social Welfare and Development on a cash-for-work scheme and with the Department of Labor and Employment on the Trabahong-Dagat and Blue Enterprise Development Program. Fuel subsidies have begun distribution, while mechanized-farm subsidies are slated for release in late October or November.