MANILA, Philippines — A climate change panel has been formed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) amid La Niña’s expected damage to the agriculture sector.
The climate resilient agriculture steering committee is tasked with providing strategic dir ection in mobilizing DA resources to address climate change.
“In exigency of service, the mainstreaming, integrating and implementing of climate-related policies, plans, projects and activities in our department shall be operationalized as a strategic approach to strengthen our climate resilience efforts, manage the risk of climate-related disasters and contribute to the stability of food supply and prices,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
Tiu Laurel issued Special Order No. 703 to operationalize the DA Climate Resilient Agriculture Office, appointing Agriculture Undersecretary for policy, planning and regulations Asis Perez as head of the CRAO.
The committee would harmonize climate action in all DA operating un its, including the application of digital technology, Tiu Laurel noted.
It is also authorized to monitor sector-wide climate action planning, he added.
“The CRAO may engage the services of science and technical experts who will form its pool of climate science experts, as may be required in the performance of the office’s role and functions, including the conduct of strategic policy and planning studies,” he said.
The DA is preparing for the worst-case scenario, especially in areas previously hit by La Niña, said Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa.
“Just like what we did during El Niño, we prepared for the worst. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that we will have a moderate El Niño but it said that there is a chance it will become strong to severe, so we prepared for the worst,” he said.
Around 120,000 hectares of plantations are expected to be affected in the worst-case scenario, he noted.
“So far, only half of our projected number of hectares were damaged. It’s a good preparatory procedure that we implemented,” he added.
De Mesa said based on PAGASA’s projection, the country will be hit by La Niña in the last quarter of the year.
“We are already preparing because, in the past, strong typhoons were already experienced as early as August. So number one that is being readied are irrigation systems,” he said.
The DA is coordinating with the National Irrigation Administration to ensure that irrigation systems are prepared.
Efforts are also being made to address possible flooding in case dams overflow.
“Small (water) impounding projects are ongoing and a big budget was allocated this year to implement this,” De Mesa said.
Based on historical data, areas severely affected by La Niña are those on the eastern side of the country, he noted.
“For El Niño, those affected were in the western side. For La Niña, normally, it is the eastern side: Cagayan, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao. These are the potential areas that will be severely hit by La Niña,” he said.
Typhoon damage to the agriculture sector could reach between 500,000 and 600,000 metric tons during a normal year, De Mesa said.
Despite La Niña’s threat, the DA expects total rice production of more than 20 million MT, he maintained.
“Our original projected output this year was 20.8 million MT. We reduced it to 20.4 million MT because of expected losses. We can still reach 20 million MT, which is a similar or a little over our projection,” he said.
El Niño’s agricultural damage was only 134,000 MT compared to the projected 250,000 MT of losses covering 120,000 hectares, he noted. It also reached P6.3 billion, he said.
“Hopefully, we will not reach this (projection of 250,000 MT) as El Niiño is about to end. For La Niña, our worst (projection) is between 500,000 to 600,000 MT (of losses),” De Mesa said.
MANILA, Philippines — The four Filipino caregivers murdered in the Oct. 7 attacks last year in Israel, fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks were remembered during the observance of Israel’s Memorial Day on Tuesday.
The Israeli embassy in Manila held a ceremony to commemorate Yom HaZikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day for the fallen soldiers and the victims of terror attacks.
“This year’s commemoration remembers not only the Israeli fallen soldiers and civilians, but also the four loyal and brave Filipino caregivers who were murdered by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7,” the embassy said.
On its Memorial Day, Israel remembered the 25,040 fallen soldiers and 5100 civilians murdered by terrorists, wherein 760 soldiers (including policemen, security services and security team members of the kibbutzim) and 834 civilians were killed this year alone. Around 203 foreign nationals were murdered by terrorists, 68 of them this year.
Prayers and a moment of silence were offered to remember the Israeli fallen soldiers and civilians, including Filipino caregivers Angelyn Aguirre, Loreta Alacre, Grace Cabrera and Paul Vincent Castelvi.
The embassy also honored the late Sgt. Cydrick Garin, a Filipino-Israeli who served in the Israel Defense Forces and was killed in action early this year.
“Today is an opportunity to recognize OFWs in Israel. Most of them are still in our country, and they feel at home and loyal to their employers. Aside from OFWs, Filipino volunteers are in Israel to express unity with Israel during this difficult time. I could feel the spirit of support and solidarity among our friends from the Philippines,” Ambassador Ilan Fluss said.
This year is the first observance of Memorial Day and Independence Day while Israel is at war. On Oct. 7, more than 1,200 casualties were recorded – the highest number of Jews murdered in one day since the Holocaust. The atrocities include sexual violence, kidnapping, mutilation and other unimaginable acts. To date, 132 Israelis are still held in captivity by Hamas in Gaza.
“Most of the people in Israel, especially the family and loved ones of the hostages, are not in the mood for celebration. Israel continues its efforts to bring the hostages back home,” Fluss said.
Israel Memorial Day was held in Manila on May 13 and its 76th Independence Day on May 14.
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos is looking to boost ties with Belarus, Ghana, Turkmenistan, Malta, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua upon welcoming on Tuesday the countries’ new envoys in Manila.
Ambassadors Raman Ramanouski of Belarus, Florence Buerki Akonor of Ghana, Atadurdy Bayramov of Turkmenistan, John Busuttil of Malta, Jaime Yorquis Francisco Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic and Sandy Anabell Dávila Sandoval of Nicaragua presented to Marcos their letters of credence at Malacañang.
The diplomats are non-resident ambassadors-designate, meaning they do not reside in the country where they are accredited as representatives.
Marcos hopes Nicaragua and the Philippines will “continue to develop the relations between our two countries” despite the distance.
“Although we are far away, we should not allow distance to get in the way of our continuing relations and I hope you should learn more about the Philippines and that you will be able to explore some other possibilities… to the mutual benefit of our countries,” he said.
Nicaragua and the Philippines established bilateral relations on Aug. 10, 1973. Total trade in 2023 between the two nations amounted to $1.4 million.
Nicaragua ranked as the Philippines’ 142nd trading partner, 133rd import supplier and 129th export market.
The Dominican Republic and the Philippines “have very much shared history and experiences of the past few centuries,” Marcos said.
“I think that gives us a very good foundation to build on,” he added.
The two countries established bilateral relations on Nov. 2, 1952. Their total trade in 2023 amounted to $27.3 million.
Ghana and the Philippines established bilateral relations on March 6, 1957. Ghana ranks as the Philippines’ 108th trading partner.
Akonor’s arrival “will be the beginning of many good things for the benefit of our people,” Marcos said.
Belarus and the Philippines established diplomatic ties on May 22, 1996.
Ramanouski is looking forward to bolstering constructive bilateral collaboration in trade and investment, food security, science and education and visa facilitation, as well as multilateral cooperation in the framework of universal and regional organizations.
Belarus ranked as the Philippines’ 83rd trading partner, with total trade between them amounting to $10.1 million in 2023.
MANILA, Philippines — A socialized condominium in Isabela will be developed to propel the government’s affordable housing program.
The trilateral agreement – signed by the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC), the municipality of Roxas in Isabela and Uanjelle Land Inc. – will kickstart the development as part of the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.
The Green Valley Residences in Barangay Marcos in Roxas, Isabela has an estimated project cost of P6 billion, aimed at housing more than 4,000 families.
The municipality shall be the project’s lead proponent.
The NHMFC is tasked with purchasing the housing loan portfolio that complies with its Housing Loan Receivables Purchase Program.
Uanjelle is in charge of developing the property into a medium or high-rise condominium.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) would monitor implementation and project compliance.
By purchasing quality housing loans, the realization of the 4PH program becomes closer, said NHMFC president Renato Tobias.
“Through this partnership, we ensure that the people of Roxas, Isabela are safe and secure in their own homes,” he said.
“We are committed to ensuring that the cycle of funds continuously flows in the development of the housing market,” he added.
The NHMFC is one of the DHSUD’s key shelter agencies.
Roxas Mayor Jonathan Calderon said they have been working on a housing project for almost seven years.
“You can see the biggest smile on our faces because this is truly a significant, momentous event not only to the municipality of Roxas but to all our constituents,” Calderon said.