Agriculture damage due to Agaton reaches P265.3 million —DA

Damage and losses to agriculture brought by Tropical Depression Agaton have reached over P200 million as of Tuesday morning, data released by the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed.

In its typhoon bulletin as of 8 a.m., April 12, the DA said the estimated damage to the crop sector stood at P265.3 million covering 3,060 hectares of agricultural areas in Eastern Visayas and Caraga.

The weather disturbance has so far affected 2,132 farmers, with a volume of production loss of 16,532 metric tons (MT).

Affected commodities include rice, corn, and high value crops, the DA said.

“These values are subject to validation. Additional damage and losses are expected in areas affected by Agaton,” it added.

The Agriculture department said the following assistance will be provided to the affected farmers and fishers:

• rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds
• drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry
• Survival and Recovery (SURE) Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC)
• available funds from Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers
• Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas

“The DA-DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) Operations Center will continuously provide updates regarding Tropical Depression Agaton,” the DA said.

The first cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, Agaton was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 75 kph, according to PAGASA.

PAGASA said Agaton, which is moving slowly eastward, has strong winds or higher that extend outwards up to 150 km from the center.—LDF, GMA News