Odette’s damage to agri sector soars to P3.1 billion — DA

The country’s crop sector has sustained P3.1 billion worth of damage and losses following Typhoon Odette’s onslaught in the Visayas and Mindanao, latest data released by the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed Thursday.

The amount was the latest tally as of 12 noon, December 23. This is a P500-million climb from the P2.6-billion worth of damage recorded as of December 22.

The figure covers volume of production loss at 90,316 metric tons (MT) and 65,432 hectares of agricultural areas in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga.

Odette affected 39,372 farmers and fishers.

Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, livestock, and fisheries. Damage has also been incurred in agricultural infrastructures, machineries and equipment.

“These values are subject to validation. Additional damage and losses are expected in areas affected by Odette,” the DA said.

The Agriculture Department, however, said a total area of 11,454 hectares of rice have been harvested from Regions Mimaropa, VI, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII with an equivalent production of 34,433 metric tons amounting to P615.53 million prior to Odette’s landfall.

“As for corn, a total of 2,452 hectares have been harvested from Region IV-A, Mimaropa, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII with an equivalent production of 6,965 metric tons amounting to P82.55 million,” it added.

The DA said its Regional Field Offices (RFOs) are conducting an assessment of damage and losses brought by calamity in the agri-fisheries sector.

“The DA continuously coordinates with concerned NGAs (national government agencies), LGUs (local government units) and other DRRM(disaster risk reduction and management)-related offices for the impact of Odette, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance,” it said.

Interventions

The DA said it will provide P2.6 billion worth of readily-available assistance to affected farmers:

• P1-billion worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas
• P148-million worth of rice seeds, P57.6-million worth of corn seeds, P44.6-million worth of assorted vegetables
• Initial amount of P500-million under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC)
• P1.64-million worth of fingerlings and assistance to affected fisherfolk from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
• P625,150 worth of drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs from RFO V
• P828-million from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers

The DA said its DRRM Operations Center will continuously provide updates regarding Odette. — RSJ, GMA News