Cong Villar bats for farmers' buffer fund as El Niño hits PH
Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar (Facebook)
The national government should set up a fund that could serve as a buffer for farmers who would be affected by the looming harsh El Niño phenomenon, Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar said on Tuesday, July 11. According to Villar, such fund could be tapped by authorities as a form of assistance to the affected farmers. “It is important to discuss this now and prepare for contingency measures especially for our small-scale farmers,” said Villar, spokesperson of the Nacionalista Party (NP). A previous El Niño episode in the country in 2019 reportedly cost an estimated P8 billion in agricultural damage. “We need to be better prepared and ready to extend assistance to farmers whose livelihoods are at risk so that they can have some sort of safety net or social protection either in the form of loans, direct cash assistance, or cash-for-work,” the ranking House member pointed out. Villar earlier filed House Resolution (HR) No.1024, which urges the government to look into possible government interventions in different sectors in light of El Niño's. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country has officially entered an El Nino phase, with strong signs that it could worsen in the coming months. Experts warned that the El Niño would most likely lead to a new spike in temperatures and trigger more extreme weather and climate events. Crops are likely to be affected and impact food security in the regions. This early, at least four provinces in Northern Luzon have already experienced dry spells or dry conditions. More than 30 provinces could be affected by El Niño in the coming months, PAGASA said.