FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe is prodding government agencies to come up with innovative interventions that would protect fisherfolks' livelihoods, strengthen food security, and at the same time advance marine biodiversity conservation.

During a recent House Committee on Agriculture and Food hearing on the government's preparedness measures against El Niño, Poe raised concerns over the mounting challenges faced by fisherfolk, particularly the increasing cost of fuel and the displacement of fishing grounds caused by changing ocean conditions.

The attending Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) representative in the hearing acknowledged the reports of an extraordinarily strong El Niño and cited fuel subsidies as a mitigating measure the government was preparing for. 

“They are in favor of fuel subsidies. So, the allocation for our fisherfolks is continuous,” the DOLE representative said.  

“Ang balita kasi sa akin sa pag-iikot ko sa mga consultation, umaabot ng 70 percent ang kanilang cost sa fuel. So, kumbaga if we have El Niño, based on the report from, I believe, BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources), if we have El Niño, lumalayo nang lumalayo ang fishing grounds. They have to go further out to catch more fish,” Poe noted.

(The reports I received during consultations show that fuel costs reach up to 70 percent. So, if we have El Niño, based on the report from BFAR, the fishing grounds move farther away. They have to go further out to catch more fish.)

Recognizing the critical role of fisherfolk in ensuring the country's food supply, Poe proposed exploring the expansion of DOLE's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program to include marine conservation and biodiversity protection activities.

"Protecting marine conservation is something that many countries already do. Perhaps we can employ fisherfolk who will be affected by El Niño to become part of a marine conservation program under TUPAD," the neophyte solon pointed out.

The proposal would allow fisherfolk to continue working within their communities while participating in activities that help preserve coastal and marine ecosystems, rather than requiring them to temporarily leave their livelihood to perform unrelated TUPAD assignments.

Poe explained that supporting fisherfolk meant protecting the nation's food security.

"If we employ them through the TUPAD program, we're basically employing them to protect our food security. Our fisherfolk are a crucial part of our food security, and we must ensure they can continue their livelihood."

DOLE officials welcomed the proposal and confirmed that discussions are already underway regarding similar interventions for fisherfolk, particularly in areas heavily affected by climate-related disruptions.

“TUPAD is a wage that is an add-on so that they won't be at a loss. This is one thing that we can explore,” a DOLE official said in response to Poe.

The agency also acknowledged the importance of expanding livelihood assistance for both fisherfolk and farmers facing the impacts of El Niño.

As the Committee on Agriculture convenes an El Niño Task Force in preparation for a possible Super El Niño event, Poe underscored the need for proactive and sustainable solutions that not only provide immediate relief but also strengthen long-term resilience among vulnerable sectors.

Poe traces his roots to Pangasinan, one of the provinces that have been affected by El Niño. The Department of Agriculture (DA)–Ilocos Region has implemented mitigation measures such as crop monitoring, irrigation scheduling, and seed distribution to prepare for drought risks.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) predicts that the phenomenon will intensify into a strong event by late 2026 and persist until early 2027.