40
Expert resource speakers186 all confirmed that in the Philippines, there is dwindling
fish catch and reduction in agricultural produce due to climate change. Production
of rice, the staple food of Filipinos, is reduced by ten percent (10%) for every
one degree centigrade (1oC) increase in night temperatures. For corn, there is a
one-point seven percent (1.7%) yield reduction for each day above thirty degrees
centigrade (30oC) under drought conditions. Fruits and vegetables also have
substantial yield reductions. As for livestock, aside from the negative impacts on
animal fertility, there is a three to five percent (3-5%) reduction in feed intake for
every one centigrade (1oC) above thirty centigrade (30oC). These result in food
supply challenges, higher food prices, higher malnutrition, and food insecurity.187
This is confirmed by the consistent experience of community resource persons188
in their respective localities. Elicer Lauce, both a farmer and fisherfolk, described
his situation as follows:
When we were fishing in the ocean from the seventies to the
eighties, we’d catch seven kilos within less than three hours. But
lately, in the year 2000, there is a decreasing volume and sizes of
the varieties of fishes we are getting. That is why we had an idea to
create other strategies. We placed payao fish aggregating devices in
the sea, wherein we go far from shorelines so that we can create a
sanctuary-habitats of fishes so there would be sources of fish.
In our coconut field, on the other hand, we have lots of coconuts
and other trees, as well before. But now, when 1990s until 2000s
came, lots of coconuts were struck by diseases. There is what we
call kadang-kadang (coconut scale insect disease), and aside from
that, there are Brontispa. In other places, there are cocolisap. This
is the reason why lots of coconut trees were cut down because of
the kadang-kadang disease where trees and leaves turn yellow and
eventually die.
In our rice fields, since we are also farming almost nine thousand
square meters (9,000 sq. m.), during 1970s to 1980, we were able
to harvest seventy to eighty (80) cavans. The fifty (50) cavans are
being used as capital because we don’t have investment money.
186
Laura T. David, PhD, Maria Lourdes San Diego-McGlone, PhD, Porfirio Miel Aliño, PhD,
Mudjekeewis D. Santos, PhD, Undersecretary Sigfredo Serrano, and Vincent V. Hilomen, PhD.
187
See Exhibit UUU to UUU-8, Printed PowerPoint Presentation of Undersecretary Sigfredo Serrano
of the Policy and Planning, Project Development, Research and Regulation of the Department of
Agriculture.
188
Rica Diamzon Cahilig, Felix “Ka Jhun” Pascua, Jr, Lerissa Libao, Elma Reyes, Pablo Rosales,
Jonathan Delos Reyes, Delia Tulagan, Buucan Hangdan, Dalia Naliw and William Mamanglo.
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