Philippines Department of Agriculture readies ₱6.2B El Niño aid

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing ₱6.2 billion in assistance for farmers and fisherfolk to mitigate the impact of a potentially severe El Niño. The funds, expected to cover fuel and fertilizer costs, are pending the release of a Special Allotment Release Order under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program.

DA spokesperson Arnel De Mesa stated that the agency intends to maximize production in areas less likely to be affected by the dry spell. While rice supply is expected to remain stable through the end of 2026, officials warned that the effects of El Niño could become more pronounced during the first half of 2027. To maintain buffer stocks, the DA is balancing local production with continued rice imports, which reached 3.67 million metric tons by the end of August.