House boosts farm, fisheries support in 2027 budget for El Niño preparations

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday evening said the House of Representatives boosted allocations for agricultural assistance, irrigation, and rural infrastructure in the proposed 2027 national budget to help farmers and fisherfolk prepare for the threat of El Niño.

In his session break closing speech, the Speaker said the House moved early to provide additional support for sectors whose livelihoods could be affected by the weather phenomenon.

“Hindi pa man dumarating, maagap din tayong kumilos para mabigyan ng karagdagang pondo sa paghahanda laban sa sinasabing ‘Super El Niño’ kung saan tatamaan ang libu-libo sa ating mga mangingisda at magsasaka,” Dy said.

The House amendments include an additional P10 billion for Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk, providing a larger allocation for assistance to the two sectors.

The former Isabela governor also announced an additional P500 million for Expanded Fertilizer Assistance and P4.09 billion for irrigation projects nationwide, supporting farm production and access to water.

The spending proposal likewise includes an additional P4.96 billion for Farm-to-Market Roads and P150 million for agricultural transport infrastructure to support the movement of agricultural products.

Another P100 million was added for high-value crops, while P331 million was allocated for the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support.

The allocations form part of the House-approved 2027 budget under House Bill No. 10858, which passed third and final reading on Monday.

“Sinigurado natin na ang pinakamahalagang pamantayan ay ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan—mula sa edukasyon at kalusugan hanggang sa paghahanda sa mga sakunang dulot ng climate change, katulad ng El Niño,” Dy said.

Dy assured farmers and fisherfolk that the government and the House would help them prepare for challenges to their livelihoods.

“Sa ating mga farmers and fisherfolk, ito po ang aming panata: huwag po kayong mangamba dahil anumang unos ang dumating, nandito ang buong pamahalaan at ang Kamara na kasama ninyong naghahanda upang harapin ang mga hamong ito.”