The House of Representatives has called on government agencies to ensure that the ₱6.2-billion El Niño assistance reaches affected farmers and fisherfolk as worsening droughts threaten agricultural production and the country’s food security.
During a hearing on Wednesday, November 4, the House Committee on Agriculture and Food continued its inquiry under House Resolution (HR) No. 967 to review government preparedness and funding amid the threat of strong or super El Niño conditions.
Chaired by Quezon Province 1st District Representative Wilfrido Mark Enverga, the panel aims to track public funds and relief budgets to guarantee they directly benefit vulnerable communities.
“I wish to emphasize that this inquiry is conducted upon the personal instruction of the Honorable Speaker Faustino Bojie Dy III to ensure that allocated public funds and relief budgets are fully, transparently, and directly implemented for our severely hit beneficiaries,” Enverga said.
Tracking Relief and Funding Gaps
Congress is examining whether the initial ₱6.2 billion released under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program is successfully reaching its target of over 310,000 small farmers and fisherfolk through fuel, fertilizer, and direct assistance.
“We must verify whether field disbursements in hit regions are reaching intended beneficiaries,” Enverga stated.
The inquiry—which gathered representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), PAGASA, DOST, DENR, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and private agricultural groups—is also reviewing a ₱371-million funding gap for crucial interventions such as cloud seeding and pest management. Enverga stressed that the DA’s proposed ₱61.99-billion consolidated action plan must yield tangible outcomes.
“Our duty in Congress is to ensure that strategy translates directly into protection on the ground,” he added.
Urgent Call for Action
Emphasizing the need for unyielding agency coordination and transparent aid distribution, Enverga underscored the urgency of immediate relief.
“Sa bawat araw na naaantala ang tulong, lalong nanganganib ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Hindi nila kayang maghintay sa gitna ng mga proseso at pormalidad ng pamahalaan. Kailangan nila ng agarang aksyon at konkretong tulong,” he said.