House urges agencies to fast-track P6.2 billion El Niño relief to farmers

MANILA — Lawmakers have intensified calls for the rapid disbursement of P6.2 billion in El Niño relief funds as prolonged dry conditions continue to damage agricultural output across the country. The House Committee on Agriculture and Food, led by Quezon Representative Mark Enverga, convened on Wednesday to oversee implementation of assistance programs targeting affected rural communities.

The committee's continued investigation, initiated under House Resolution No. 967, seeks to ensure that emergency funds reach intended beneficiaries — farmers and fishing communities struggling with crop failures and diminished catches. Officials have cited concerns that delays in aid distribution could compound economic hardship in agricultural regions already grappling with production losses.

The inquiry underscores growing concerns about El Niño's sustained impact on the country's food security and rural livelihoods. Legislators are examining agency coordination and administrative procedures to identify bottlenecks preventing timely delivery of government support to vulnerable sectors dependent on favorable weather conditions for survival.

The House push reflects mounting pressure on the executive branch to address the humanitarian dimensions of the drought crisis affecting millions of Filipinos in farming and fishing communities nationwide.