Agri damage due to Crising, Habagat now at P323.15M — DA

The damage to the country’s crops and livestock sectors  due to adverse weather conditions brought about by the combined effects of Severe Tropical Storm Crising and the Southwest Monsoon or “Habagat” has reached over P300 million.

In its report, the Department of Agriculture-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center said the damage and losses to rice, corn, cassava, high value crops, fisheries, livestock and poultry and agricultural infrastructure stood at P323.15 million with volume of production loss at 10,595 metric tons (MT).

The combined weather disturbances affected 14,772 farmers and fisherfolk and 15,868 hectares of agricultural areas in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Socckskargen.

The values reported are subject to validation as further damage and losses are expected in affected regions as assessment and validation are ongoing, according to the DA.

The Agriculture Department said the following assistance are available:

• P545.56 million worth of agricultural inputs (rice, corn, and vegetable seeds) from DA Regional Field Offices I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, VI, and XII
• 500 bags of rice stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA) has been issued to Local Government Unit of Palawan for distribution
• Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation and recovery of affected areas
• P400 million for the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) with up to P25,000 loanable amount, payable in three years at zero interest
• Initial amount of P268 million for the indemnification of 45,980 insured affected farmers through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC)

In a separate statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has directed officer-in-charge Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro and Undersecretary Chris Morales, who overseas the country’s National Rice Program, to immediately visit areas devastated by Crising and the Habagat to provide urgent support to affected farmers and fisherfolk.

"We want our farmers and fisherfolk to know that the government is fully committed to supporting them, especially during these challenging times," said Tiu Laurel. 

"Essential resources, including seeds and financial aid, are readily available to help our stakeholders recover swiftly,” added the DA chief.

Meanwhile, the DA said its regional field offices are are undertaking the following:

• Conduct of field validation and needs assessment in areas affected by Southwest Monsoon and Crising;
• Close coordination with concerned national government agencies, local government units, and other DRRM-related offices on the impact of the disaster, including road obstructions that may affect the food supply chain, and flooding that will cause further damage and losses; and
• Monitoring of prices is on-going for any changes in prices and movement of agricultural commodities. In line with this, a price ceiling on agricultural commodities is in effect in areas under State of Calamity, as mandated by Republic Act 7581 or “The Price Act.”

— RSJ, GMA Integrated News