Marcos to farmers on storms’ impact: ‘We know what needs to be done’

DELUGE. Floodwater inundates a vast area, mostly farmlands, in Allacapan town, Cagayan province, in this aerial picture taken on Sunday morning as Typhoon “Neneng” (international name: Nesat) worsened floods caused by last week’s Tropical Depression “Maymay.” (File photo dated October 17, 2022, from ALLACAPAN MAYOR HARRY FLORIDA)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday told farmers that the government is ready to assist them if the country is affected by strong typhoons or the El Niño phenomenon.

He made the statement during a sit-down forum titled “Ugnayan with Farmers,” held in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

READ: El Niño affected over 180,000 farmers, says the agriculture department

During the dialogue, Marcos was asked whether the government has any support programs to help farmers adapt to and recover from severe calamities and climate change.

“If it’s still possible to plant again, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will step in and help you replant,” he responded.

“If it’s already too late, we will provide you with support. In addition to that, all our crops are insured,” he said.

He then recalled the El Niño phenomenon from 2023 to 2024, which caused more than P15 billion in damage to farming and fishing communities.

READ: Agri damage from El Niño balloons to P15B

“If El Niño happens again and the successive typhoons will hit again — if you recall, there were six in less than a month — we are now prepared because we already know what needs to be done,” the president said.

“We’ve already put various systems in place from the Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority down to the local level,” he noted.

After the forum, the President was introduced to the 43 national Gawad Saka awardees by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

Gawad Saka is the highest and most prestigious annual recognition given by the DA in partnership with local government units.

It honors the exemplary performance, contributions, and innovative ways of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, scientists, researchers, and institutions that strive to attain food security, sufficiency, and sustainability. /apl/abc