Agri damage due to Odette reaches P3.6 billion — DA

The agricultural damage caused by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette has exceeded P3 billion, government data showed Friday.

The latest tally as of 4 p.m. December 24 showed the damage and losses sustained by the country’s crop sector stood at P3.6 billion.

The amount covers the volume of production loss of 94,764 metric tons (MT) and 67,573 hectares of agricultural areas in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga.

The calamity affected 47,048 farmers and fishers.

Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, livestock, and fisheries. Agricultural infrastructure, machinery, and equipment have also been damaged.

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

Despite the huge losses, the Agriculture department said 11,454 hectares of rice were harvested from Regions Mimaropa, VI, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII, yielding 34,433 metric tons worth P615.53 million prior to Odette’s landfall.

A total of 2,452 hectares of corn were harvested from Mimaropa and Regions IV-A, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII, yielding 6,965 metric tons worth P82.55 million. 

The agency said it would provide P2.6 billion worth of readily-available assistance to farmers affected, namely:

• 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-DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction ana Management) Operations Center will continuously provide updates regarding Typhoon Odette,” the department said. — VBL, GMA News