Albay allocates P40M aid for farmers amid El Niño threat

By Rhaydz Barcia

LEGAZPI CITY --- As the Philippines braces for the worsening impact of El Niño, the provincial government of Albay has allocated P40 million in assistance for farmers, primarily for the distribution of free fertilizers, Governor Noel Rosal said.

Rosal said the province is preparing for a prolonged dry spell expected to affect food production, noting that Albayano farmers are already facing a “double whammy” due to the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano, which has persisted for over five months.

“We allotted a P40 million fund to buy fertilizers for our farmers. We are also asking them to adjust their cropping calendar to avoid being severely affected by the dry spell,” Rosal said.

“We must prioritize assistance for our farmers, who are the backbone of our food security and stability. They feed our nation. Without them, we would have nothing to eat. That is why we need to provide all possible support so they can continue cultivating the land,” he added.

Rosal said mitigation measures are being prepared as Albay experiences increasingly hot weather conditions, worsened by the continued activity of Mayon Volcano.

The province is also facing declining water supply due to rising temperatures and months of below-normal rainfall. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported a rainfall deficit since April, contributing to reduced water levels across the countryside.

While fewer tropical cyclones are expected to enter the country during El Niño, PAGASA warned that stronger typhoons or even super typhoons may develop in the coming months.

Rosal noted that rain-fed rice fields and other crops are particularly vulnerable to the dry spell. To reduce risks, he urged farmers to diversify their farming practices and plant drought-resistant crops.

The Department of Agriculture, in its El Niño advisory, explained that El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), characterized by sustained warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon alters atmospheric circulation and affects weather patterns across various regions.

Based on projections by PAGASA, there is a 79 percent probability that El Niño will develop between June and August 2026 and may persist until early 2027.

The Department of Agriculture warned of several impacts on the agriculture and fisheries sectors. For crops, these include water shortages, delayed planting, reduced yields, and increased incidence of pests and diseases. Livestock may suffer from heat stress and higher disease risks, while fisheries could experience fish kills, coral bleaching, and seaweed diseases.

These effects may lead to reduced agricultural and fishery output, higher food prices, supply chain disruptions, and income losses for farmers and fisherfolk.

To mitigate these impacts, the department has outlined several preparedness measures. For crops, these include the prepositioning of agricultural inputs, pest and disease monitoring, and mapping of drought-prone areas. For livestock, recommended actions include vaccination, vitamin supplementation, planting drought-resistant forage, and establishing forage facilities. For fisheries, measures include prepositioning fingerlings and inputs, deepening fishponds, reinforcing dikes, and establishing satellite hatcheries.

The department also advised farmers to adjust cropping schedules, adopt water-saving techniques such as rainwater harvesting, use drought-tolerant and early-maturing seeds, plant short-gestation crops like peanuts, soybeans, and mongo beans, practice crop rotation, and utilize organic fertilizers. Farmers are also encouraged to secure crop insurance from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

For fisherfolk, the agency recommended monitoring water quality, ensuring proper feeding and stock management, providing shade in exposed areas, using aerators, and regularly inspecting fishponds and dikes. Livestock raisers are advised to conduct regular vaccination and veterinary consultations, provide adequate shelter and clean water, and secure livestock insurance from PCIC.