House probe on El Niño's impact sought

The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives has filed a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on farmers and the local production of agricultural products.

House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list, and Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel signed House Resolution 1627 urging the House Committee on Agriculture and Food to conduct the probe.

The Makabayan lawmakers cited Advisory No. 7 issued by state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), which stated that a strong and mature El Niño would continue until February, and that majority of the global climate models predict that El Niño would persist until May.

In addition, the opposition lawmakers noted that 51 provinces have "experienced the detrimental effects of El Niño" as of February alone.

Further, they said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has also estimated that agricultural damage caused by El Niño already reached P941 million as of February 29, 2024, with the Western Visayas suffering the largest amount of crop losses which reached as much as P564.05 million.

Latest figures from the NRMMC on Wednesday, however, showed that El Niño's damage to agriculture has already topped P1 billion.

"The government conducted cloud seeding operations, farm inputs distribution, livelihood support, and financial assistance. But the various assistance the government provided is insufficient to help improve the situation of our farmers affected by El Niño. The government should provide 50% production subsidy based on the production costs of our farmers," the resolution read.

"Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Committee on Agriculture and Food conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the effects of the strong and mature El Niño on farmers and local production," it added.

Feeling the heat

In its latest report, the NDRRMC said total production loss and cost of damage to agriculture was estimated at P1,056,379,891.

Western Visayas reported the highest cost of agricultural damage with P678,705,381, followed by Mimaropa with P319,755,957, Ilocos with P54,450,077, Calabarzon with 2,750,947, and Zamboanga with P717,527.

A total of 23,086 farmers and fisherfolk, as well as 17,718 hectares of crops, have been affected in the country due to El Niño.

Even as more provinces across the country are feeling the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) reported Wednesday that the extreme weather phenomenon has only affected 1% of vulnerable rice fields. The NIA said its irrigation measures so far have been able to offset El Niño's impact.

PAGASA had also reported more provinces are coping with drought due to El Niño.

Last month, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos assured that the government was taking steps to support farmers amid the threat of El Niño, including a push for solar-powered irrigation to boost harvests. — with a report from Tina Panganiban Perez/ VDV, GMA Integrated News