Rolly agriculture losses hit P1.7B —DA

Damages to agriculture brought about by typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni) have been raised to P1.748 billion, latest available data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed.

As of 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, the DA pegged total losses and damages at P1.748 billion, affecting 26,948 farmers across the country. Earlier data reported damages at P1.1 billion.

Majority of the damages were in the form of production losses equivalent to P1.737 billion. The amount includes P1.190 billion for rice, P493.932 million for high-value crops, P52.343 million for corn, and P269.520 million for livestock.

Meanwhile, some P10.575-million worth of infrastructure was damaged, covering irrigation and agricultural facilities.

The latest figures will bring the total agricultural damages to P4.1 billion from the last three typhoons, including Quinta with P2.19 billion and Pepito with P120 million.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the department is now working to provide assistance to the affected sectors, including the release of palay and corn seeds in affected regions.

It will also release assistance for affected livestock and poultry owners, as well as fishing gear and paraphernalia for affected fishers.

Dar said the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) still has P300 million in funds, and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) P1 billion that may be tapped for further financing.

Rolly, previously categorized as a super typhoon, is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on the morning of Tuesday, November 3.—LDF, GMA News