DA unveils P62-billion emergency plan to combat El Niño drought

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced a large-scale intervention program worth nearly P62 billion designed to mitigate the impact of El Niño-induced dry conditions on the nation's farming sector. The multi-billion peso action plan aims to protect agricultural output and sustain the livelihoods of farming and fishing communities across the country during the dry spell.

A significant portion of the proposed budget—P6.2 billion—is earmarked for fuel and fertilizer subsidies as part of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, and other support measures. These subsidies are intended to reduce production costs for farmers struggling with drought conditions and help maintain viable farming operations during the El Niño period.

The comprehensive approach reflects the DA's recognition of El Niño's threat to food security and rural incomes. Officials say the emergency spending program targets both immediate relief for affected agricultural producers and longer-term measures to safeguard productivity. The plan underscores the government's commitment to sustaining agricultural viability amid increasingly unpredictable weather patterns affecting the region.