Manila: A lawmaker has urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to implement measures to protect farm animals from diseases as the El Ni±o phenomenon affects livestock health. Abra Lone District Representative JB Bernos emphasized the urgency of the situation in a news release, pointing to a recent bird flu outbreak in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro as a forewarning of potential challenges during prolonged drought conditions.

According to Philippines News Agency, earlier this month, the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu was detected among backyard birds in Oriental Mindoro, leading to culling operations. Representative Bernos, who is on the committee on agriculture and food, highlighted that heat and nutritional stress during El Ni±o could weaken immune responses, increasing susceptibility to diseases among livestock.

Bernos also stressed the importance of safeguarding livestock as Filipino families would be significantly impacted by the effects of El Ni±o. Scientists from the University of the Philippines Los Ba±os have estimated potential losses in the livestock sector could reach up to PHP9.9 billion due to the severe El Ni±o episode anticipated.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority indicates that livestock and poultry contribute nearly 30 percent of the total agricultural output. Bernos emphasized the role of the livestock sector in ensuring food security and protecting farmers' livelihoods, advocating for efforts to minimize livestock losses to sustain Filipino families' nutrition and farmers' income.