Pangilinan calls for national state of emergency due to Super El Niño

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Wednesday called for the declaration of a national state of emergency amid the adverse effects of the Super El Niño.

Pangilinan issued his call during a Senate hearing on the P171.3-billion proposed budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

READ: El Niño affects over 451,000 people in PH – NDRRMC

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In his opening statement, Pangilinan noted that the country has already suffered P6.87 in drought losses as of Sept. 26, not yet even including the actual effects of the current El Niño.

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He also pointed out that as of Oct. 6, the government has so far only released P2.53 million in assistance, which he noted is too low for its target beneficiaries 11.2 million.

“Hindi ba dapat dahil limang rehiyon na ang tinatamaan ng El Niño base sa datos ng DA, hindi ba dapat mag-deklara na ng National State of Calamity ang ating national government para magkaroon na ng dagdag na suporta at pondo dahil nga narito na ang El Niño?” said Pangilinan.

(Since five regions are already being affected by El Niño based on DA data, shouldn’t our national government declare a National State of Calamity so that there will be additional support and funds because El Niño is already here?)

“I believe the executive department should seriously consider a state of calamity declaration so we can better address the challenges of super El Niño,” he added.

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DA budget needs to reflect needs

According to Pangilinan, the DA estimates that rice production could be reduced by about 700,000 metric tons in the second half of 2027 due to the strong El Niño, along with other weather-related shocks. 

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READ: DA proposes P62-B plan to address dry spell impact

This is on top of extreme heat and water shortages which will exacerbate threats to livestock, fishponds and fisheries.

“Kailangang tiyakin ng DA. na iisa ang sinusunod na plano ng lahat … dapat maging sentro ng 2027 DA budget ang tubig at irigasyon,” said Pangilinan.

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(The DA needs to ensure that everyone follows the same plan… water and irrigation should be the centerpiece of the 2027 DA budget.) /jpv