Philippine Church urged to act before El Niño worsens hunger, water shortages

Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, head of Caritas Philippines, warned that a strengthening El Niño could trigger a hunger crisis for poor communities and urged social action centers to prepare vulnerable families before drought and rising food prices worsen. Speaking Sept. 30 at a Northern Luzon Social Action Network gathering in Urdaneta City, Alminaza noted that the weather pattern could persist through the first half of 2027, increasing the risk of prolonged dry spells and drought.

Alminaza, who also serves as interim chairperson of the Integral Ecology Ministry, cited Department of Agriculture projections that El Niño could reduce palay production by approximately 750,000 metric tons. He advised the Church to identify the most exposed communities and act before irrigation water runs short or harvests fail.

The meeting in Urdaneta City included representatives from 13 archdioceses, dioceses, and apostolic vicariates, as well as Bishop Nick Vaquilar of Urdaneta and Bishop Napoleon Sipalay Jr. of Alaminos.