Cres Ian Lorenzo
THE imperative to build climate-resilient food systems in the Philippines has become more urgent as the country grapples with the escalating impact of climate change, which can be worsened by the upcoming very strong El Niño.
This theme took center stage at the forum titled “Beyond El Niño: Building Climate-Resilient Food Systems,” held on Oct. 22, 2026, at Solaire North, Quezon City.
Photo shows U-Nichols Manalo, Assistant Secretary for Operations at the Department of Agriculture (DA); James Amparo, Asean-Business Advisory Council Senior Adviser; The Manila Times columnist and panel moderator Ludwig Federigan; and Lior Asaf, Project Team Leader for the Feasibility Study of Waterways and Canals for the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) in a panel discussion during a forum on climate-resilient food systems on Oct. 22, 2026, at the Solaire North, Quezon City. PHOTO FROM LUDWIG FEDERIGAN
Jointly organized by the Stratbase and the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, the first panel discussion titled “Driving Productivity, Strengthening Food Security: Addressing the Philippines’ Agricultural Challenges Through Innovation and Technology” convened to explore actionable solutions to production volatility and infrastructure deficiencies.
The panel brought together a diverse range of expertise to address these challenges: U-Nichols Manalo, Assistant Secretary for Operations at the Department of Agriculture (DA); Fermin Adriano, former DA undersecretary; Herbert Betz, Philippine Representative for Anyway Solutions; Lior Asaf, Director of the Hydrology Division and Project Team Leader for the Feasibility Study of Waterways and Canals for the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) under the DA; and James Amparo, Asean-Business Advisory Council Senior Adviser for Food Security and Agriculture, and president of Yovel East Research and Development Inc.
The panelists emphasized that incremental improvements are insufficient for agriculture to become climate resilient. Instead, a systemic transformation is required.
Adriano and Manalo provided critical policy perspectives, underscoring the government’s role in facilitating an environment where innovation can thrive at the grassroots level. They highlighted that policy must bridge the gap between high-level research and the practical needs of smallholder farmers.
Technological adoption emerged as a recurring theme. Betz and Asaf illustrated how targeted investments in precision agriculture and data-driven infrastructure can mitigate risks. Specifically, they pointed to the potential of advanced hydrological studies and canal development in managing water resources more effectively, a vital component of resilience against both drought and flooding.
The panelists reached a consensus on several key pillars for future agricultural planning:
Climate-smart infrastructure – Shifting from reactive disaster management to proactive infrastructure development, such as improved irrigation systems that can withstand extreme weather events.
Data-driven planning – Utilizing real-time agricultural and hydrological data for planting cycles, resource allocation, and market projections, which can reduce waste and enhance productivity.
Strengthen logistics – Addressing the critical bottleneck of farm-to-market connectivity. Innovation in post-harvest technology and logistics is essential to ensure that increased productivity translates directly into higher incomes for farmers and lower prices for consumers.
The forum served as a vital platform for aligning these disparate but interconnected strategies. By integrating the technical expertise represented by Anyway Solutions with the regulatory and operational experience of the Department of Agriculture, the panel successfully reframed the agricultural challenge not just as a burden of vulnerability, but as an opportunity for technological leapfrogging.
The goal articulated by the speakers was clear: to transform the Philippine agricultural sector into a robust, technology-driven enterprise. By investing in the tools of resilience, from hydrological engineering to digital logistics, the Philippines can move beyond the cyclical threats of the El Niño, ensuring a stable and productive food system for years to come.
