Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed concerned agencies to provide more agriculture production support to areas seen to experience normal rainfall despite El Niño, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.
NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon bared Marcos’ order during a Palace briefing on Tuesday.
“There will still be a number of provinces that are less likely to be hit by El Nino. In the briefing this morning, the instruction of the president is we target the production support to these provinces,” she said.
“[T]hese provinces will still experience normal rainfall, most probably even as late as December,” the official added.
Edillon did not specify which provinces, but said they are located in Mindanao, the Visayas, and eastern part of Luzon.
She said some measures being eyed are production support and the buildup of irrigation system in these provinces.
Newly-appointed Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has already been informed of the plan, the NEDA official said.
“At the same time, it is important to ensure that the most vulnerable sectors of the society are protected and provided assistance especially while food prices remain high amid the expected El Niño,” she added.
Late in September, the state weather bureau said 45 provinces may be hit by drought towards March 2024.
