MANILA, Philippines — A labor group has urged the labor secretary to convene an urgent meeting of the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council to prepare for the effects of El Niño on workers, farmers and their families.
In a statement on Thursday, the WPP, which stands for Workers’ and Peasants’ Party, cited Pagasa’s Oct. 7 assessment identifying a strong to very strong El Niño that could peak before the end of 2026 and persist into the first half of 2027.
The party called for measures to protect jobs, wages, crops and food supplies, including safeguards for workers exposed to excessive heat, water conservation, support for farmers and emergency assistance for affected families.
"We cannot stop El Niño, but we can prevent workers and farmers from bearing the brunt of the damage. Preparation is not just about storing water—we also need to protect jobs, income, crops, and food," WPP Secretary General Allan S. Montaño said in Filipino.
