MANILA— Senator Bam Aquino has urged government lending and financial institutions to waive loan interest charges from January to March 2027 to help small businesses, online sellers, and workers cope with the anticipated effects of “Super El Niño.”

The country may experience below-normal rainfall, dry spells, and drought in various areas, with the weather phenomenon’s impacts expected to peak in late 2026 through the first quarter of 2027.

Aquino said the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Small Business Corporation (SB Corp), and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) could help ease borrowers’ financial burdens as living costs rise.

“Ngayong inaasahang magreresulta ang Super El Niño sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, kuryente, produktong petrolyo, at iba pang mahalagang bilihin, tiyak na tatamaan ang kita at kabuhayan ng ating maliliit na negosyante, manggagawa, at ordinaryong Pilipino,” Aquino said.

“Malaking tulong sa maaapektuhang sektor kung hindi muna papatawan ng interest ng gobyerno ang kanilang mga pautang hanggang sa bumalik sa normal ang sitwasyon,” he added.

Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, said SB Corp could temporarily suspend loan interest charges to help small business owners and online sellers manage potentially higher operating costs.

“Magkakaroon ng kailangang espasyo ang ating maliliit na negosyo para mapanatili ang kanilang operasyon at maprotektahan ang kabuhayan ng kanilang mga manggagawa sa gitna ng inaasahang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” he pointed out.

He also urged the SSS, Pag-IBIG Fund, and GSIS to consider similar relief measures for borrowers, particularly ordinary workers and middle-class families who may struggle to meet loan obligations amid rising living costs.

“Kung pansamantalang ititigil ang pagpataw ng interes sa kanilang mga loan, mabibigyan natin ng ginhawa ang ating mga manggagawa at middle class para may dagdag na pantustos sila para sa pangangailangan ng pamilya sa harap ng mataas na presyo ng bilihin,” he pointed out.

Aquino earlier asked Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian to reconvene the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee to ensure a coordinated government response to the possible effects of “Super El Niño.”

The Senate formed the committee in March 2026 to develop a comprehensive national framework addressing the effects of conflicts in the Middle East on the country’s oil supply and economy. Gatchalian chairs the panel.

Aquino emphasized the need for government agencies to coordinate preparations and implement concrete measures to protect Filipinos from potential impacts on livelihoods, education, agriculture, health, food security, micro, small, and medium enterprises, and other essential services.