MANILA — The government should begin preparing immediately for the possible onset of El Niño, as failure to implement preventive measures could worsen food security and other national challenges, a lawmaker said.

Abra Lone District Rep. JB Bernos said El Niño could have wide-ranging impacts on agriculture and public health, stressing the need for coordinated government action.

“El Niño will negatively impact food security and public health, and it is up to us in government to exhaust all efforts to minimize its effects on the people,” Bernos said in a statement.

He said preparations should include sufficient financial assistance to strengthen agricultural productivity and support farmers.

“The key to surviving El Niño is also the key to improving our nation’s agriculture. Hindi naman sikreto ito — kailangan natin pondohan ang (This is no secret – we need to fund) farm inputs and post-harvest facilities to make agriculture more viable for our producers,” he said.

Bernos also called for improvements in the country’s crop insurance system to ensure that small farmers can quickly access assistance during climate-related disasters.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has projected a 79 percent likelihood of El Niño developing during the June-July-August period, with conditions possibly lasting until early 2027.

The lawmaker is also pushing House Bill No. 6519, or the Weather Ready Farmers bill, which proposes a free weather index-based crop insurance system with automatic payouts for farmers affected by climate change.

He also pledged to advocate for a higher agriculture budget in the coming year to help the sector cope with the expected impacts of El Niño.