The national government has set aside more than ₱46 billion this year to respond to the effects of “Super El Niño,” Malacañang said on Thursday, October 1, while urging the public not to panic.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said ₱6.2 billion is ready for release to the Department of Agriculture (DA). The money will pay for fuel assistance, fertilizer and other farm inputs for farmers and fisherfolk, who are among the sectors hit by the weather phenomenon.
The Marcos administration has also allocated ₱39.82 billion for disaster management. Together, the two amounts exceed ₱46 billion.
Castro said the Philippines has managed to address the effects of the weather phenomenon before. She asked the public to remain calm, noting that government efforts to assist affected sectors are already underway.
2027 budget proposals
For next year, the administration proposes raising the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund to ₱45.67 billion in the 2027 national budget. Of that amount, ₱14.67 billion is intended for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas under local governments.
The proposed budget also contains ₱9.885 billion in Quick Response Funds for frontline agencies. Additional money can be drawn from the NDRRM Fund when needed.
The administration is also seeking funds to strengthen food supplies. It is asking for ₱11.18 billion for the National Food Authority’s rice buffer stocking and ₱4.5 billion for crop insurance covering about 2.34 million small farmers and fisherfolk. For the National Irrigation Administration, the proposed outlay is ₱46.356 billion, of which ₱30.437 billion is for irrigation restoration and development.
Separately, the DA has proposed expanding the minimum access volume for corn to 500,000 metric tons. The department made the proposal as it prepares for the possible effect of El Niño on corn supply.
Water supply
Consumers may not experience water interruptions yet, even with a “very strong” El Niño expected this month, according to the National Water Resource Board (NWRB).
NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. said in an interview with dzBB that dams have collected enough water so far. He attributed this to rain from several tropical cyclones in August and the habagat, or southwest monsoon.
The budget figures for 2027 are proposals and remain subject to deliberation in Congress.
