Sen. JV Ejercito urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other government agencies to prioritize water impounding facilities to prepare for the impact of Super El Niño.
He said these structures could help prevent flooding during the rainy season while storing water for irrigation during dry periods.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. supported the proposal, noting that the Philippines loses an estimated ₱500 billion worth of rainwater to the sea annually due to inadequate water retention infrastructure.
Ejercito also backed the ₱10-billion Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk program and called for continued aid to fisherfolk facing harassment in the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, he urged the DA and Sugar Regulatory Administration to carefully time sugar imports to protect local farmers affected by drought and pest infestations.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 23, 2026
