MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday urged the government to consider declaring a national state of calamity as El Niño damages crops and livelihoods in five regions, with the Department of Agriculture (DA) projecting a potential loss of 700,000 metric tons of palay in the second half of 2027.
At a Senate hearing on the DA’s proposed 2027 budget, Pangilinan warned that prolonged drought, extreme heat and water shortages could further threaten agricultural production, livestock, fishponds and fisheries.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has warned that the strong El Niño could persist through the first half of 2027.
Pangilinan cited DA data showing that five regions were already experiencing damage to crops and livelihoods. He identified Cagayan Valley, Bicol, Calabarzon and Soccsksargen among the affected areas.
“The executive department should seriously consider a state of calamity declaration so we can better address the challenges of Super El Niño,” Pangilinan said.
He estimated that a loss of 700,000 metric tons of palay would be equivalent to the annual rice requirements of about 3.6 million Filipinos.
Pangilinan also cited P6.87 billion in drought-related agricultural losses as of Sept. 26, saying the figure did not yet reflect the full impact of El Niño.
He called for adequate funding for irrigation, water-storage facilities and immediate assistance to farmers and fisherfolk already suffering from extreme weather conditions.
“The center of the 2027 DA budget should be water and irrigation,” Pangilinan said.
