3 days ago
Agri damage due to Crising, Dante, Emong, Habagat climbs to P1.12B
The damage incurred by the country's agri-fisheries sector due to the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) has breached the P1-billion mark, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
In its situation report, the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center reported that the damage and losses in rice, corn, cassava, high value crops, fisheries, livestock and poultry and agricultural infrastructure have ballooned to P1.12 billion with volume of production loss at 26,566 metric tons (MT).
The weather disturbances affected 45,408 farmers and fisherfolk in and 43,741 hectares (ha) of agricultural areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Socckskargen.
Further damage and losses are expected in affected regions as assessment and validation is ongoing, according to the DA.
As part of the efforts to carry out appropriate interventions for affected farmers and fisherfolk, the Agriculture Department said the following assistance are available:
P653.01-million worth of agricultural inputs (seeds, seedlings, pesticides, forage seeds, free range chicken, and fingerlings) from DA Regional Field Offices CAR, I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, VI, IX, X, and XII
43,940 bags of rice stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA) has been issued to Local Government Units of Palawan, Polangui, Pangasinan, Ramon, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Albay, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region III for distribution
Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation and recovery of affected areas
P400 million for the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) with up to P25,000 loanable amount, payable in three years at zero interest
Initial amount of P268 million for the indemnification of 45,980 insured affected farmers through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC)
The DA said its Regional Field Offices in the calamity-hit areas are undertaking the following:
Conduct of field validation and needs assessment in areas affected by Southwest Monsoon and Crising, Dante, and Emong
Close coordination with concerned NGAs, LGUs and other DRRM-related offices on the impact of the disaster, including road obstructions that may affect the food supply chain, and flooding that will cause further damage and losses
Monitoring of agricultural commodities for any changes in prices and movement. In line with this, a price ceiling on agricultural commodities is in effect in areas under the State of Calamity, as mandated by Republic Act 7581 or "The Price Act."
— RSJ, GMA Integrated News
