DA earmarks P495.4M in farm inputs for storm-hit farmers

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it has allocated nearly half-a-billion pesos in agricultural inputs such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds to help farmers in regions affected by Tropical Storm Crising which enhanced the Southwest Monsoon or “Habagat.”

In a statement, the DA said it earmarked  P495.4 million in farm inputs for farmers in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B and VI.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations and officer-in-charge Roger Navarro said that additional support, including Quick Response Funds for rehabilitation, Survival and Recovery Loans, and indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), “will also be made immediately available to affected farmers and fisherfolk.”

Preliminary damage estimates from the DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operations Center (DRRMOC) show that the combined impact of Crising and Habagat has caused P134.7 million in losses in rice, corn, cassava, high value crops, fisheries, livestock and poultry. 

Affected areas span 8,035  hectares while affected farmers and fisherfolk number 6,377. 

These numbers, however, are still under validation, according to the DA.

“These figures are still subject to change as we continue to assess the situation on the ground,” said Navarro.

The DA said it is in collaboration with other government agencies to closely monitor the crisis situation to mitigate disruptions in the food supply chain, particularly for highland vegetables. 

“We are keeping a close watch to prevent significant price increases on key agricultural commodities,” said Navarro.

Meanwhile, the National Food Authority (NFA) is ready to release rice stocks to support local government units and national disaster relief efforts, according to the DA. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News