Philippine church group warns lack of El Niño response puts farmers, food security at risk

Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS) warned on Oct. 21 that the Philippine government lacks a comprehensive response to an impending super El Niño. The Church labor group stated that this absence of action jeopardizes the livelihoods of farmers and the national food supply.

CWS issued the warning on National Peasant Day, calling for stronger farmer support, protection of agricultural land, and agrarian reform. The group noted that farmers, farmworkers, and Indigenous communities face poverty, debt, and land insecurity despite sustaining the country's food supply.

The group identified several challenges facing Philippine agriculture, including high production costs, limited irrigation, inadequate machinery, and a lack of credit and post-harvest facilities. CWS also expressed concern regarding the country's dependence on imported rice, suggesting that the Rice Tariffication Law and current import policies be assessed against domestic production and farmer incomes. In some areas like Benguet, the group reported that vegetable farmers have discarded produce because market prices failed to cover the costs of harvesting and transport.