AFTER BEING SUBMERGED from the continuous rains brought by the monsoon season, farmers are met with another daunting predicament, as soil begins to dry, crops thirst for water, and the farmers begin to yearn to that curtain of grey that once tormented the very soil they cherish; the difficult livelihood of the Filipino farmers turns into a greater struggle as they face the threat of an unprecedented variant of a climate crisis—the Super Godzilla Monster El Niño.
The dry season threatens more than the crops growing in the fields; it endangers the livelihoods farmers have worked tirelessly to sustain through months of planting, nurturing, and hoping to reap what they have sown.
For those who till the land, the weather is both a lifeline and a gamble. Sudden storms can flatten crops on the brink of harvest, while prolonged drought parches the soil and leaves plants struggling to survive. Yet, as farmers contend with the unpredictability of the skies, the cost of seeds, fertilizer, and labor remains constant, forcing them to stake their livelihoods on a harvest that is never guaranteed and a future clouded by intensified weather conditions.
Against the nearing drought
Lance Valiente, a farmer from Barangay Balubad, Silang, Cavite, who has been tilling the land since 2011, spoke of the uncertainty that comes with every planting season. He has witnessed how storms can devastate his crops, damaging his corn, eggplants, and okra, forcing him to start over.
“…Walang magagawa ‘pag nagbagyo’t masira… tanim ulit,” he said, acknowledging that “nature is nature” and that farmers must learn to adapt to its unpredictability.
For Lance, adapting means looping in the cycle of planting again after every loss, regardless of the time, effort, and resources already spent. However, when prolonged drought threatens the land, starting over becomes even more difficult as crops struggle to receive the moisture they need to survive.
Beyond the uncertainty of the weather, farmers must also contend with the financial burden of purchasing seeds, applying fertilizer, and maintaining their crops, all without any guarantee of a profitable harvest.
Lance shared that his family expanded their farming operations during the pandemic to meet their daily needs, but rising seed prices and limited assistance led to financial losses. For his family of five, farming alone remains insufficient to cover everyday expenses, especially amid unpredictable harvests.
Under the scorching heat
The country is bracing for an enhanced variant of El Niño from late 2026 to early 2027, projected to bring prolonged heat, drought, and increased electricity demand. Sherwin De Ocampo, a farmer who has tilled the land since childhood, said crops without shade, particularly his banana plants, would be among the first to bear the brunt of the crisis.
Sherwin expressed concern over the dwindling food supply for his goats and cows, as prolonged heat and drought could dry up the grass they depend on for sustenance.
Despite the turbulence the weather brings, they are managing to get by notwithstanding the looming threat of prolonged heat and drought, yet, with water sources potentially dwindling and grass drying up, the uncertainty of how long they can sustain their livelihood remains a growing concern.
When the harvest disappears
Sherwin knows the fulfillment of seeing his crops ready for harvest, a satisfaction that can vanish when extreme weather strikes at the worst possible time. He recalled preparing to harvest his string beans and bitter gourd when a storm struck just hours before the scheduled harvest.
“…Wala, bagsak lahat. ‘Yung harvest ko kinabukasan… madaling araw umulan, bumagyo, wala na,” he recounted.
Other farmers, under the name Kuya Jimmy and Kuya Tom, shared similar experiences with their banana crops, which strong winds can break, forcing them to replant and wait another year to harvest again.
Their collective experiences highlight the vulnerability of Filipino farmers to extreme weather, as a single storm can undo months of hard work while prolonged heat weakens crops and reduces yields.
Beyond an empty field, a failed harvest means lost investments, household expenses left unmet, and the struggle to find enough resources to begin again.
Peering through the nation’s pillars
Peasants’ Month, observed every month of October, honors farmers and peasant communities whose labor sustains the nation despite the relentless heat of the sun, a burden made heavier by the threat of El Niño.
Throughout the month, protests and mobilizations call for meaningful land reform, food security, and the protection of rural rights. Every October 21, Peasants’ Day brings together agrarian advocates and progressive groups to demand greater support for farmers, particularly as extreme weather threatens the agricultural sector.
Despite their significant role in feeding millions of Filipinos, farmers continue to struggle with persistent issues that threaten their livelihoods and their ability to provide for their families.
“…Gobyerno naman talaga ang ating sinasandalan,” Lance emphasized, underscoring the government’s responsibility to support those who sustain the country’s food supply—the backbone of the Philippine economy. His statement highlights the need for concrete agricultural reforms, adequate assistance, and climate-resilient measures to help farmers withstand the punishing weather conditions.
Ultimately, the “Super Godzilla Monster” El Niño—fittingly portrayed by the amalgamation of extremes that it is in its innate form—threatens not only the livelihoods of Filipino farmers but also the food security of a nation that depends on their labor. Hoping their sacrifices must go beyond words of gratitude; it must mean addressing their struggles, protecting their livelihoods, and providing the support they need to weather the crisis.
The land sustains life, but it is the hands of those who till it beneath the unforgiving conditions that allow it to flourish, reminding us that a nation cannot reap a bountiful harvest while exuding indifference to the very people who sow its seeds.
(With Jasmine Danielle Casadores)