President Marcos has assured those who may be affected by the impending El Niño phenomenon that the government is ready to assist them to weather the effects of the dry spell.

Marcos said this in an interview with reporters in Nueva Ecija on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

According to the President, farmers and other individuals will receive government assistance as they will be officially registered to different livelihood programs.

He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will continue to assist El Niño victims.

“DSWD is there. We will continue to provide AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation), TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers), especially for farmers who have – na tinamaan, na masira ang kanilang tanim (whose crops would be ruined by the dry spell),” Marcos said.

“Siyempre, may support na manggagaling sa gobyerno diyan (Of course the government would provide them assistance),” he added.

The President said the government would implement programs similar to what it did when the inflation was at its height.

“Papasok ang pamahalaan to make sure naman na kahit papaano may hanapbuhay ang ating mga magsasaka (The government would intervene to make sure that our farmers would have a livelihood),” Marcos said said.  

According to Marcos, a whole-of-nation approach is required to ensure the success of the government’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to persist until the second quarter of 2024.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) reported around 65 provinces across the country may experience drought while six provinces may experience dry spells.