Pangilinan calls for province-by-province preparedness plan for super El Niño

September 30, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the government’s response to the looming super El Niño should be specific for each province and should be able to identify high-risk areas and the needs of the farmers, fisherfolk, and families who stand to be most affected.

Pangilinan also said the actions should be undertaken now before the weather phenomenon hits, and not when fields have dried up or when no fish could be caught.

He called on concerned government agencies to draw up a province-by-province preparedness plan.

“Dapat malinaw sa bawat lalawigan kung aling mga lugar ang high-risk, gaano karaming suplay ng tubig para sa irigasyon ang available, anong mga pananim ang nakatanim na, aling mga komunidad ng mangingisda at aquaculture ang maaaring mangailangan ng suporta, sino-sino ang mga opisyal na responsable sa pagtugon, at anong tulong ang maaaring maihatid bago pa magkaroon ng malalaking pagkalugi,” he said.

He also called on the Department of Agriculture and National Irrigation Administration to fast-track the repair and rehabilitation of irrigation systems, especially in drought prone areas.

He also called for the timely distribution of drought-tolerant seeds and other agricultural inputs.

“Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, dapat ang gobyerno ang maging sandalan ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Hindi sana sila umasa sa mga loan shark na magsasamantala at aabusuhin ang kanilang pangangailangan,” he said.

Pangilinan also warned that neglecting food producers would affect the supply and prices of food and drive up the cost of other goods.