Maring’s damage to agri rises to P1.74 billion, over 50,000 farmers affected –DA

The agriculture damage caused by Severe Tropical Storm Maring climbed to P1.74 billion after it wreaked havoc in northern Luzon and parts of the Visayas, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Saturday.

In its latest typhoon bulletin, the DA said Maring devastated 68,137 hectares of agricultural areas, affecting 56,718 farmers and fishers.

The P1.74-billion damage and losses due to the weather disturbance were equivalent to 91,422 metric tons of lost agricultural production.

This is higher compared to the P1.21 billion reported on Friday, October 15, 2021.

“These values are subject to validation,” the DA said.

The Agriculture Department said the agricultural losses were in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and SOCCSKSARGEN.

“Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, fisheries, irrigation, and agri-facilities,” it said.

Interventions

To aid farmers and fisherfolk affected by Maring, the DA rolled P1.5 billion worth of interventions.

The amount includes P650 million allotted for emergency loans to affected farmers and fisherfolk under the SURE (Survival and Recovery) Calamity Loan Assistance Program through the DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC).

Affected farmers and fisherfolk can borrow P20,000 each, at zero interest, no collateral, and payable in 10 years.

Aside from the agricultural loan, the DA also set aside P172 million under its Quick Response Fund (QRF) to rehabilitate affected areas in the Cordillera Administrative, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol , Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and SOCCSKSARGEN Regions.

At least P370 million worth of crop insurance was also made available by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify 44,208 affected farmers in CAR, Regions I, II, III, and Mimaropa.

A total of P296 million worth of available rice, corn, and assorted vegetable seeds are also ready for distribution to affected farmers.

Drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs will also be distributed to those affected.

At state-run PTV’s Laging Handa briefing, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said the DA is fast-tracking the disbursements of its interventions to aid farmers and fishers affected by the typhoon.

The DA said that before Maring’s onslaught, a total of 28,952 hectares of rice had been harvested from Regions I and II with an equivalent production of 141,635 metric tons amounting to P2.08 billion.

As for corn, a total of 13,776 hectares had been harvested from Region II, with an equivalent production of 55,654 metric tons amounting to P779.15 million.

The DA said it is further assessing and validating the damage and losses brought by Maring in the agri-fisheries sector through its Regional Field Offices (RFOs).

The department said it would also maintain close coordination with concerned government offices, local government units, and other disaster risk reduction and management-related offices to assess further the impact of the severe tropical storm and available resources for interventions and assistance. — DVM, GMA News