Severe and prolonged drought, as seen in this photo taken this March 2024, is hurting farmers in the southernmost town of Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro province. On March 5, 2024, Makabayan bloc lawmakers filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into how the strong El Niño phenomenon is affecting farmers and their agricultural produce. PHOTO COURTESY OF BULALACAO INFORMATION OFFICE
MANILA, Philippines — Makabayan bloc lawmakers filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into how the strong El Niño phenomenon is affecting farmers and their agricultural produce.
The group led by Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas lodged House Resolution (HR) No. 1627 on March 5, directing the committee on agriculture and food to investigate El Niño’s impact on the country’s agriculture since the weather event is expected to persist until May this year, citing data from the state weather agency.
A copy of the HR No. 1627 was released to the media on Thursday.
READ: Oriental Mindoro town’s state of calamity shows El Niño’s impact
While the Makabayan lawmakers recognized the programs and assistance of the Department of Agriculture (DA) concerning El Niño, they pointed out that there is still a need to increase the government’s production subsidy to 50 percent to sufficiently cover farmers’ production costs.
“In January, 41 provinces experienced detrimental effects of El Niño. However, these provinces have increased to 51 by the end of February. The agricultural damage caused by El Niño reached P941 million as of February 29,” the resolution states, citing data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
“Water levels in the main dams that supply irrigation water in Luzon to the National Capital Region are decreasing. In addition, deep wells and rivers are drying up. There is a shortage of drinking water and irrigation water for agriculture,” it also says, further noting events of forest and grass fires in Ilocos and some provinces in Northern Luzon, among many others.
READ: Drought may hit 30 areas in March due to El Niño – Pagasa
In a briefing held Thursday, Pagasa reported that the weather phenomenon has started to weaken and is expected to return to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral conditions by April to June.
With this development, Pagasa raised the ENSO Alert and Warning System to La Niña Watch.
According to the state weather agency, a pre-developing La Niña when combined with the effects of the ongoing El Niño may result in below-normal rainfall with the possibility of a slight delay on the onset of the rainy season.