Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has placed key agricultural agencies on high alert, ordering a rigorous monitoring of the domestic rice industry in anticipation of a looming El Niño phenomenon.
The directive mobilizes the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP), the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and various Department of Agriculture (DA) units.
To safeguard water resources, the DA is working in tandem with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to refine water distribution and ensure infrastructure is resilient enough to handle an extended dry spell.
This strategic pivot occurs as the administration intensifies its support for local farmers, who are currently burdened by high production costs and volatile fertilizer prices caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Secretary Tiu Laurel emphasized that the government is preparing for a “worst-case scenario” to protect agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of food producers.
“It is no longer a question whether we will experience another El Niño after the 2024 episode that undermined rice harvest. The only question that needs to be answered is its intensity,” Tiu Laurel stated on Friday.
These measures align with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s priority of maintaining food security despite a backdrop of climate risks and global instability. PAGASA has already flagged a 92% probability of a moderate to strong El Niño.
Furthermore, international climate projections warn of a possible “super” El Niño, which could see temperatures rise by as much as 2.2°C, severely depleting rainfall in key farming regions.
In response, the DA is currently re-evaluating planting calendars based on updated rainfall data and encouraging a shift toward drought-resistant crops like mung beans.
The department is also fast-tracking the implementation of solar-powered irrigation systems to provide sustainable water solutions for the long term.