Sen Lito Lapid, the veteran actor turned politician, has announced his intention to seek re-election for a fourth term in the Philippine Senate. Running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) banner, Lapid made this declaration during a recent visit to the Himaya Festival in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, accompanied by his son Mark Lapid and Representative Emilio Yulo III.
However, Lapid’s focus quickly shifted to commending the proactive measures taken by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration to mitigate the impacts of the severe El Niño phenomenon currently affecting the nation. With weather experts warning that this prolonged dry spell could persist until August, the President has mobilized a coordinated “whole-of-government approach” to safeguard public welfare and extend support to vulnerable farming communities.
Lapid applauded the government’s swift response, underscoring the importance of immediately addressing the ongoing effects of the intense summer heat. Initiatives have been implemented to ensure adequate food supply and minimize damage to the local economy, including economic assistance programs for affected farmers and fisherfolk.
Notably, the Marcos administration has allocated PHP 1.4 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the “Project Lawa” and “Project Binhi” programs. These projects aim to provide Learning and Development Sessions on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation, and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR), as well as cash-for-work and cash-for-training opportunities to beneficiaries in priority areas heavily impacted by El Niño.
“These programs of President BBM are a great help for the communities affected by El Niño to alleviate its impact on their livelihoods and ensure that they do not go hungry,” Lapid stressed, commending the government’s efforts to support vulnerable populations during this challenging period.
Furthermore, President Marcos has directed the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation to expedite financial assistance to affected farmers, overcoming regulatory barriers imposed by the Insurance Commission.
Senator Lito Lapid also praised the swift actions taken by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., which include cloud seeding operations, repair and rehabilitation of irrigation canals, livestock distribution, promotion of low-water use technologies, and other economic assistance measures for farmers and fisherfolk.
As of April 3, the agricultural sector has suffered damages exceeding PHP 1.2 billion due to El Niño’s impact. The report indicates that more than 30,000 farmers and fisherfolk have been affected, with over 26,000 hectares of crops damaged across five regions. Consequently, at least 17 areas have declared a state of calamity in response to the severe drought conditions.
In the face of this climate crisis, Senator Lapid commends the Marcos administration’s decisive actions, which aim to provide timely support and long-term resilience to the communities most vulnerable to the effects of El Niño.
What are your thoughts on the government’s response to the El Niño crisis? Share your views in the comments below.