Karding-caused damage to agriculture now estimated at P160.1M —DA

Damage and losses to agriculture caused by Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) have increased to P160.1 million, based on the latest available data from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The latest estimates released by the DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (DRRM) covered 16,659 hectares of agricultural areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and the Bicol Region.

This translates to a volume of production loss of 7,457 metric tons (MT) of commodities such as rice, corn, high value crops, and fisheries affecting 3,780 farmers and fisherfolk.

“These values are subject to validation. Additional damage and losses are expected in areas affected by ‘Karding’,” the DA said in its latest bulletin as of 5 p.m. on Monday, September 26.

The agency said assistance is available to affected farmers and fisherfolk, including 133,240 bags of rice seeds; 5,729 bags of corn seeds; and 4,911 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds.

It also has drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry, and fingerlings and assistance through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The DA said it can also tap the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), and P500-million worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also said it has allocated P1.1 billion for its disaster response and assistance to those hit by Typhoon Karding.

Karding officially left the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 8 p.m. on Monday, causing damage in several areas in Luzon and leaving eight dead and over 60,817 individuals affected. —KG, GMA News