Government urged to improve hazard warnings for Cordillera farmers

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The government should strengthen early warning systems to give farmers in the Cordillera timely information about typhoons, landslides and other natural hazards, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies said.

PIDS President Philip Arnold Tuaño stressed the need to improve communication networks, particularly in remote areas where digital warnings often fail to reach vulnerable agricultural communities.

He said timely alerts would give farmers more opportunities to prepare for disasters and protect their livelihoods.

Tuaño also called for targeted training and capacity-building programs to equip farmers with the knowledge and techniques needed to withstand severe weather events and climate-related crises.

Government assistance must also cover fishers and Indigenous peoples through the construction of climate-resilient infrastructure and delivery of essential social services, he said.

Tuaño added that protective measures for these high-risk sectors should be prioritized in national policies to safeguard rural livelihoods.

PIDS is a government-backed think tank that conducts policy research to support evidence-based decision-making. Its studies provide recommendations intended to help policymakers develop measures that promote sustainable national development.