Odette damage to agri nearing P13 billion —DA

The damage to the agriculture sector caused by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette is currently worth nearly P13 billion, according to the latest tally released by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The damage and losses due to the calamity stood at P12.7 billion as of January 12, 2022.

The typhoon affected 396,585 farmers and fishers, with volume of production loss at 267,809 metric tons (MT) and 443,419 hectares of agricultural areas in CALABARZON, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga.

Commodities wiped out by Odette include rice, corn, high value crops, coconut, sugarcane, abaca, livestock, and fisheries.

Damage has also been incurred in agricultural infrastructures, machineries and equipment, the DA said.

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

The DA earmarked P2.9 billion worth of readily-available assistance to be provided to farmers and fisherfolk affected, broken down as follows:

• P1 billion worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas

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• P828 million from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers
• P500 million under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) for 20,000 farmers and fisherfolk at P25,000 each
• P314 million worth of rice seeds, P129 million worth of corn seeds, and P57 million worth of assorted vegetables
• P47 million worth of assistance to affected fisherfolk from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
• P6.6 million worth of animal stocks, drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry
• 15,000 coconut seed nuts and available funds from Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)

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

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