Benise Balaoing

Rice grain yield dries up, becoming inedible, due to heat and lack of water in Barangay Sapang Putik, San Ildefonso, Bulacan on January 15, 2024. The lack of rain and water flowing through for irrigation in some parts of the municipality has left some farmers struggling and requesting for aid. 


Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Rice grain yield dries up, becoming inedible, due to heat and lack of water in Barangay Sapang Putik, San Ildefonso, Bulacan on January 15, 2024. The lack of rain and water flowing through for irrigation in some parts of the municipality has left some farmers struggling and requesting for aid. 

Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

EL NINO

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it will ramp up assistance in areas less affected by El Niño in a bid to offset expected losses in crop production.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2026/7/7/el-nino-is-expected-to-break-records-top-expert-1950" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">El Niño is expected &#x27;to break records&#x27;: top expert</a></div><p>DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. plans to intensify production efforts in the Visayas, Mindanao and Southern Tagalog, where conditions remain more favorable for farming.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/22/house-speaker-slams-agencies-for-supposedly-late-el-ni-o-preparation-1439" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House speaker slams agencies for supposedly late El Niño preparation</a></div><p>But he also assured the public that the government will continue to provide support to farmers in severely affected areas.</p><p>Tiu Laurel identified Regions I, II and III, as well as western Mindoro, among the areas expected to be the hardest hit by El Niño.</p><p>“There are areas na tinatawag nating agricultural drought. Ibig sabihin niyan, yung moisture ng lupa ay talagang wala na. Wala na talaga tayong magagawa doon. Technically, we just have to support the farmers in whatever way possible, whole-of-government na yan,” he said.</p><p>&quot;There are areas naman na mas maraming tubig than usual. Doon tayo magdo-double down ngayon ng interventions—more seeds per hectare, more fertilizer support para yung deficit dito sa isang area, i-increase naman sa kabila,&quot; he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/7/10/strengthening-el-nino-likely-to-rank-among-largest-on-record-us-agency-0836" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Strengthening El Niño likely to &#x27;rank among largest&#x27; on record—US agency</a></div><p>Despite the government&#x27;s mitigation measures, the agriculture chief said the Philippines is still projected to lose around 700,000 metric tons of palay because of El Niño.</p><div><strong>CHICKEN PRICES</strong></div><p>Tiu Laurel also attributed the recent increase in chicken prices in Luzon to the effects of extreme heat brought by El Niño.</p><p>&quot;Pag tumaas ang temperature sa mga breeding at egg-laying (chickens), bumababa talaga ang production. Bumabagal ang productivity kaya tumataas ang presyo,&quot; he said.</p><p>But the DA expects chicken prices to stabilize in the coming weeks as intermittent rains and cooler weather help improve production.</p><p>Tiu Laurel believes there is no need to impose a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on chicken.</p>

<p>The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it will ramp up assistance in areas less affected by El Niño in a bid to offset expected losses in crop production.</p>

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it will ramp up assistance in areas less affected by El Niño in a bid to offset expected losses in crop production.

Agri dept to boost support in less drought-hit areas as El Niño threatens rice output

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

Agri dept to boost support in less drought-hit areas as El Niño threatens rice output

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 23, 2026 05:27 PM PHT

Read More:

el Nino

chicken prices

irrigation

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.