Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 4) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will study the proposed ₱15,000 production subsidy for farmers and fisherfolk amid the looming El Niño.
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas earlier said the subsidy will help agricultural workers amid production challenges with the expected onset of El Niño, a weather phenomenon seen to trigger dry spells and drought in the country.
However, the DA on Thursday said it has yet to receive a formal request from the agricultural workers.
\”Well, first time ko pa lang marinig ang proposal. But tignan namin siguro kung they will formally forward it to us kasi gusto naming makita ‘yung breakdown saka sino ba ang pino-propose nilang mag-receive n’un,\” DA Director U-Nichols Manalo said.
[Translation: Well, it’s the first time I’ve heard of the proposal. But we’ll see if they will formally forward it to us because we want to see the breakdown and who they are proposing to receive it.]
Citing government data, the group said there are around 13.6 million fishery and agricultural workers across the archipelago, who may face a possible decrease in production during El Niño.
