Agri damage due to Mayon Volcano unrest rises to P13.02M

The damage and losses to agriculture in the Bicol Region due to Mayon Volcano’s unrest have increased to P13.02 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Citing data from its Regional Field Office V, the DA said the validated damage and losses outside the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) of Mayon have been reported in rice, high-value crops, and livestock, affecting 228 farmers, with 102 hectares of agricultural areas, and a volume of production loss at 364 metric tons (MT).

Also affected are 33 heads of livestock animals, the DA said.

The agency added that the values are subject to validation.

“Additional damage and losses are expected as assessment is ongoing in areas affected by the Mayon Volcanic activity,” it said.

Moreover, the Agriculture Department said that a total of 534.39 hectares of agricultural areas within the six-kilometer radius zone —which includes commodities such as corn with 335.26 hectares, high-value crops with 179.51 hectares, and fruits with 19.62 hectares — have yet to be validated as entry into the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is prohibited.

“The DA Regional Field Office (RFO) V is actively monitoring and validating affected areas to evaluate the extent of impact caused by the recent ashfall event,” it said.

The DA said its RFO V is undertaking the following measures:

• Evacuation and pooling of livestock animals and conduct of animal health surveillance, in coordination with LGUs and Albay Veterinary Office (AVO)
• Provision of resources such as ropes, masks, drugs and feeds for ruminants, trucks/hauling vehicles
• Establishment of 27 Animal Evacuation Sites currently housing 1,032 livestock owned by 507 farmers
• Distribution of 20 sacks of cattle feeds in Camalig and Guinobatan, Albay
• Monitoring and assessment of the actual field situation for damage and losses incurred in the agriculture and fisheries sector
• Continuous monitoring of prices and movement of agricultural commodities
• Close coordination with other National and Regional DRRM-related offices, and Local Government Unit counterparts for the Department’s response strategies.

In response to the needs of farmers affected by the Mayon Volcano activity, the DA said it is providing the following forms of assistance:

• P49 million worth of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and farm tools for crops
• P648,000 worth of fingerlings from BFAR V
• P151,000 worth of feeds and supplements for livestock and poultry animals from DA RFO V
• 18,470 MT of Palay-milled rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) for issuance to the affected Local Government Units (LGUs)
• Up to P25,000 loanable amount from the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the 6. Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), payable in three years at zero interest
• Indemnification of insured affected farmers through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

—AOL, GMA News