Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Thursday threw his support behind the immediate mobilization of the Inter-Agency Task Force El Niño, warning that the government must act swiftly to mitigate the severe impacts of the looming dry spell.
Speaking to the media during his visit to Albay, Pangilinan stressed that seamless inter-agency collaboration is vital to safeguarding the agricultural sector, securing the country’s food supply, and supporting vulnerable communities ahead of the prolonged drought.
The lawmaker pressed for the active involvement of the Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Finance to ensure critical safety nets are deployed without delay.
“May budget ang gobyerno para sa natural disasters, calamity relief, quick response na dapat ma-mobilize, at syempre, kapag nagkaroon ng state of calamity declaration, yung pondo na mare-release para sa calamity funds,” Pangilinan said.
He further emphasized that anticipatory measures—such as cash-for-work programs, agricultural rehabilitation projects, and emergency fund allocations—must be finalized well before the dry season peaks.
The state weather bureau, PAGASA, previously raised the alarm with a 92 percent probability that El Niño conditions will develop between June and August, potentially persisting until early 2027.
This high probability underscores the urgency for immediate strategic planning, according to the senator.
“So an inter-agency task force on El Niño should be mobilized, should be organized, and should start planning for the third and fourth quarters of this year,” he added.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on El Niño is mandated to oversee the government’s comprehensive response across five critical sectors: water supply, agriculture, electricity, health, and public safety. The body is led by Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. as chairperson, with Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. serving as co-chair.