Abra Lone District Representative JB Bernos has called on the national government to initiate early intervention strategies against the projected onset of El Niño, cautioning that any delay in mitigation could severely compromise the country’s food security and public health.
In a recent statement, the lawmaker emphasized that proactive governance is essential to buffering the population against the environmental phenomenon.
“El Niño will negatively impact food security and public health, and it is up to us in government to exhaust all efforts to minimize its effects on the people,” Bernos said.
The representative pointed out that long-term resilience hinges on robust financial backing for the agricultural sector. He argued that the measures required to survive the dry spell are the same investments needed to modernize Philippine farming.
“The key to surviving El Niño is also the key to improving our nation’s agriculture. Hindi naman sikreto ito — kailangan natin pondohan ang farm inputs and post-harvest facilities to make agriculture more viable for our producers,” he added.
Central to his advocacy is the reform of the current crop insurance framework. Bernos is pushing for the passage of House Bill No. 6519, also known as the Weather Ready Farmers Bill.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a weather index-based insurance system that utilizes automatic payouts, ensuring that small-scale farmers receive immediate financial relief without the usual bureaucratic hurdles following climate-related disasters.
The urgency follows data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), which indicates a 79% probability of El Niño developing between June and August. Experts warn the phenomenon could persist well into early 2027.
To address these concerns, Bernos committed to supporting a higher budget for the Department of Agriculture in the upcoming fiscal year, aiming to provide a necessary safety net for producers nationwide.