Damage to agri due to Crising, Dante, Emong, Habagat hits P454.12M

The damage sustained by the country’s agri-fisheries sector due to the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) is nearing half-a-billion pesos, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In its situation report, the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center reported that the damage and losses in rice, corn, cassava, high value crops, fisheries, livestock and poultry and agricultural infrastructure stood at P454.12 million with a volume of production loss at 13,376 metric tons (MT).

The weather disturbances affected 20,959 farmers and fisherfolk in 20,413 hectares of agricultural areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Socckskargen.

Further damage and losses are expected in affected regions as assessment and validation is on-going, according to the DA.

In a separate statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tui Laurel Jr.  said the DA is distributing P596.5 million worth of agricultural and fishery inputs, such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds; seedlings; pesticides; forage seeds; free-range chickens; and fingerlings. 

“In addition, 2,100 bags of rice from the National Food Authority have been delivered to local government units in Palawan, Polangui, and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Albay,” Tiu Laurel said.

The Agriculture chief said DA will tap its Quick Response Fund to fast-track rehabilitation and recovery of affected areas.

Tiu Laurel said the Agricultural Credit Policy Council has earmarked P400 million in interest-free loans under its Survival and Recovery (SURE) program with up to PhP 25,000 loanable amount, payable in three years at zero interest.

Moreover, an initial amount of P268 million has been set aside for the indemnification of 45,980 insured affected farmers through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

Tiu Laurel said he ordered the PCIC to expedite indemnity payments to affected farmers and fisherfolk. 

The DA’s Regional Field Offices in areas affected by the weather disturbances are undertaking the following interventions:

• Conduct of field validation and needs assessment
• 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
• Monitoring of agricultural commodities for any changes in prices and movement. In line with this, a price ceiling on agricultural commodities is in effect in areas under the State of Calamity, as mandated by Republic Act 7581 or "The Price Act."

— RSJ, GMA Integrated News