Government and industry leaders, together with th Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP), held a forum on Wednesday to discuss how to prevent another surge in food prices and production costs.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration sees a 92 percent chance that El Niño will develop between June and August and persist into early 2027, while tensions in the Middle East continue to keep fertilizer and fuel costs elevated.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. president Danilo Fausto, and Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers Inc. board member Caitlin Punzalan will lead discussions on the country’s readiness for another dry spell and the steps needed to strengthen food security.
The Department of Agriculture has already reconvened its El Niño Task Force after the combined impact of El Niño, successive typhoons and animal diseases cut agricultural output 2.1 percent to P1.73 trillion in 2024 and caused P57.78 billion in farm losses.
Keeping prices stable
“Food security is at the heart of economic stability. Every disruption in food production eventually reaches Filipino households through higher prices and greater uncertainty,” EJAP president Ted Cordero said.
“Through this forum, EJAP seeks to convene government, industry, and the media to encourage evidence-based discussions and policy ideas that will help the country build a more resilient and sustainable food system,” he said.
The forum will review lessons from the 2023–2024 El Niño episode, assess preparations for the expected dry spell and identify measures to strengthen the country’s long-term food security, one of the Marcos administration’s key economic priorities.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
