Philippines agriculture backs calamity declaration as El Niño losses mount

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Philippines agriculture backs calamity declaration

Highlights

Philippines Department of Agriculture estimates El Niño farm losses at P8.57 billion and supports a state of calamity to expedite emergency funding.
Worst-case scenario projects 4.6 million farmers and fisherfolk affected and palay production down by 1 million metric tons, with rice and corn losses at P2.95 billion and P5 billion, respectively.
Government has provided P11.34 billion in aid, including P10.81 billion for inputs and 338 water pumps distributed, as prolonged drought threatens food supply and financial stability.

Damage estimates and emergency funding push

As reported by BusinessWorld Online, the Department of Agriculture said it supports Senator Francis N. Pangilinan’s call to declare a state of calamity as agricultural damage from El Niño continues to rise. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said such a declaration will expedite the release of funds needed to address emergencies, while Undersecretary for rice industry Christopher V. Morales said it will strengthen contingency planning and speed up mitigation measures.

The department’s worst-case scenario estimates that 4.6 million farmers and fisherfolk are affected by dry spells, with palay output reduced by 1 million metric tons. Pangilinan said the declaration can help ensure the prompt release of resources and institutional support, including standby loan facilities from development banks that require a calamity declaration before funds can be disbursed.

In a Department of Agriculture bulletin released on Oct. 21, farm losses are estimated at P8.57 billion, with lost volume reaching 220,307 metric tons. Rice accounts for 71,408 metric tons of losses valued at P2.95 billion, while corn losses total 132,290 metric tons valued at P5 billion.

Support measures and broader sector impact

The Department of Agriculture said it has provided P11.34 billion worth of assistance to farmers to address the effects of El Niño. Of that amount, P10.81 billion has gone to seed, fertilizer and soil conditioners, while cloud-seeding operations have also been conducted.

The agency has also distributed 338 water pumps to Regions II, III, IV-A, IV-A, V, VI and IX. The support measures highlight the scale of the strain on the farm sector, where prolonged dry conditions are threatening food production and raising pressure for faster government intervention.

In our earlier article on the UN-backed plan to move fertilizer through the Strait of Hormuz, we explained that the mechanism is still waiting on a U.S.-Iran agreement and that further delays could disrupt planting seasons in import-dependent regions. We also noted that prolonged shipping constraints could squeeze fertilizer availability, lift costs for farmers, and add upward pressure on food and agricultural commodity prices.

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