Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel on Thursday highlighted the preparations of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to assist farmers who will be affected by the La Niña phenomenon.

For one, the government is boosting the capacity of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation to protect the crops of farmers in areas expected to be hit by the destructive weather phenomenon, Laurel said in an interview with Malacañang Insider.

“Pinapalakas din natin ngayon iyong insurance natin through our Philippine Crop Insurance para kung sakaling tamaan man iyong mga lugar na dadaanan ng bagyo ay mabigyan kaagad sila ng pera through the insurance at makapag-plant sila ulit,” Laurel said.

On the other hand, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has been giving out backhoes for flooded areas to prepare residents for heavy rains and to help build water impounding facilities, he added.

The DA is also conducting emergency procurement for additional backhoes and bulldozers to minimize the effect of the wet season.

“Iyong DA, mag-e-emergency procurement din ng additional backhoes and bulldozers para sa mga usually flooded areas para ma-minimize itong epekto nito,” Laurel said.

The DA previously distributed flood-tolerant varieties of rice while the NIA assured irrigation systems are up and running for proper water management during above-normal amounts of rainfall, Laurel reported.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has conducted clearing operations in the metropolis’ waterways. Moreover, the Department of Energy (DOE) has strengthened transmission lines against bad weather.

Earlier, President Marcos committed the government’s preparedness against La Niña, which is expected to bring above-normal levels of rainfall. PND