Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s call to tap the P30‑billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) gains relevance in Mindanao as six provinces and Davao City are now experiencing a dry spell based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) latest advisory.
Escudero urged the national government to consider mobilizing the fund, which was created under Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law, to support farmers facing rainfall deficits, rising fuel costs, and the looming onset of El Niño by June.
He noted that RCEF includes a P15‑billion allocation for “Other Priority Programs, Activities and Projects” that may be redirected to interventions that strengthen productivity and supply resiliency.
“Isa pang puwedeng makatulong sa ating mga magsasaka ay ‘yung portion ng P30 billion mula sa rice competitiveness enhancement program, specifically the P15 billion for other priority programs,” he said, adding that the fund can be used for expanded financial assistance, rice credit, irrigation support, and other measures that address emergency situations affecting rice production.
PAGASA has reported that a dry spell –defined as three consecutive months of below‑normal rainfall (21% to 60% reduction)—is now affecting Basilan, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi‑Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, and Davao City.
“Wala pa dyan ang El Niño na inasahang darating sa Hunyo. Dapat nating mapaghandaan ito nang husto dahil kung walang sapat na tulong sa ating mga magsasaka, kawawa ang kanilang kabuhayan at apektado rin ang ating rice production,” Escudero pointed out.
The weather bureau has also placed 13 other Mindanao provinces under “dry condition,” a milder category involving two months of below‑normal rainfall, while noting that no Mindanao province is yet under drought status. Drought conditions, however, are already being recorded in several Luzon provinces, including Isabela and Cagayan.
With rainfall deficits already affecting parts of Mindanao and El Niño expected to intensify conditions in the coming months, Escudero said government interventions must be “forward‑looking” to help farmers mitigate production losses and maintain supply stability.