Initial damage to agri due to Typhoon Tino at P13.26 million

The damage and losses sustained by the agriculture sector following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino has reached over P13 million, according to an initial assessment.

In its situation bulletin as of November 6, the Department of Agriculture said the value of production loss due to the weather disturbance stood at P13.26 million based on preliminary reports from the agency’s regional field offices in Western and Eastern Visayas.

Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry. 

Rice, in particular, sustained P10.76 million in losses while corn saw P1.62 million worth of damage.

High-value crops, on the other hand, posted P461,020 worth of losses followed by livestock and poultry with P45,350.

Agricultural infrastructure, and machinery and equipment also sustained damage at P250,000 and P120,000, respectively.

Volume of production loss stood at 613 metric tons (MT) in 552 hectares (ha) of agricultural areas. 

“These values are subject to validation,” the DA said.

The Agriculture Department added that its regional field offices in Negros Island and Central Visayas have yet to submit their reports due to widespread flooding in numerous areas. 

The DA said P216.39 million worth of farm inputs for rice, corn, and high-value crops and another P1.12 million worth of animal feeds and supplements for livestock and poultry are available for affected farmers. 

About P841,600 worth of bangus, tilapia, and carp fingerlings will also be distributed to affected fisherfolk.

Moreover, 2.6 million bags of rice stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA) are available for issuance to local government units (LGUs) and other relief agencies.

Affected farmers and fisherfolk could also tap P25,000 loanable amount from the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), payable in three years at zero interest.

The DA said insured affected farmers could be indemnified through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). — BM, GMA Integrated News