MANILA – Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday urged the government to strengthen preparations and protection measures for farmers and fisherfolk ahead of the next typhoon or southwest monsoon (habagat), warning that damage to their livelihoods could further threaten the country’s food supply.

Pangilinan called for a temporary moratorium on the collection of agricultural loans in areas severely affected by successive storms and flooding.

He also urged the government to take proactive measures to protect farmers, fisherfolk, farmlands, fishing grounds, and livelihood assets from the impact of typhoons and the habagat.

“Huwag nating hintaying masira ang kanilang kabuhayan bago tayo kumilos,” Pangilinan said.

“Kapag nasira ang pananim, palaisdaan, bangka, lambat, at iba pang kabuhayan, hindi lang kita ng magsasaka at mangingisda ang nawawala. Pati ang pagkain na dapat nasa hapag ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino ay nalalagay sa peligro,” he added.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier reported that damage and losses to the agriculture sector from the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng had reached P1.79 billion.

The DA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center said the weather disturbances had affected 51,229 farmers and damaged 41,647 hectares of agricultural land across the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region and Western Visayas.

Production losses were estimated at around 44,745 metric tons.

“Sunod-sunod ang sama ng panahon. Hindi pa nga nakakabangon ang marami nating magsasaka at mangingisda, may paparating na naman. Huwag nating hintaying lumubog muli ang mga bukid, matangay ang mga bangka, at mawala ang kanilang kabuhayan bago tayo kumilos,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan issued the call as the southwest monsoon was expected to bring more rain to Northern and Central Luzon, with Typhoon Saudel entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday and enhancing the habagat.

The increased rainfall could affect western Luzon, including Metro Manila, where flooding has already disrupted livelihoods and businesses.

“Kapag nasira ang pananim at pangisdaan, hindi lamang magsasaka at mangingisda ang nawawalan. Nababawasan ang suplay ng pagkain, tumataas ang presyo ng mga bilihin sa palengke, at buong bayan ang nagbabayad,” he said.

Pangilinan said protecting agricultural workers should remain a key component of the country’s food security strategy as climate-related risks continue to threaten domestic food production.