Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has called for increased funding for water storage, irrigation, and emergency assistance for farmers and fisherfolk, warning that a potentially strong El Niño could reduce palay production by 700,000 metric tons in the second half of 2027.
During the Senate hearing on the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) proposed 2027 budget on Wednesday, October 21, Pangilinan said the projected production loss could affect the annual rice requirements of approximately 3.6 million Filipinos.
He backed the proposed ₱171.3-billion DA budget but stressed the need to prioritize water and irrigation infrastructure amid worsening drought conditions.
“The urgency is already measurable: ₱6.87 billion in drought losses,” Pangilinan said, citing agricultural damage recorded as of September 26, before the full impact of the projected super El Niño.
He also raised concerns over the pace of government assistance, noting that only 2.53 million of the 11.12 million target beneficiaries had received aid as of October 6.
Pangilinan urged the executive department to seriously consider declaring a national state of calamity, citing El Niño-related damage to crops and livelihoods in five regions.
“Dapat maging sentro ng 2027 D.A. budget ang tubig at irigasyon,” he said, emphasizing the need for coordinated planning across the department’s agencies.
The senator also said the budget hearing would tackle other concerns, including underutilized funds, agricultural smuggling, the effects of Middle East tensions on agriculture, tariffs on pork imports, farm-to-market roads, and delays in implementing food hubs.
