Farmers in Mangaldaan, Pangasinan are facing huge losses after their rice harvests fell far below expectations due to the combined impact of recent storms and pest infestations.

Eduardo Romero, a farmer from Barangay Lanas, said his harvest barely reached half of what he reaps usually.

“Lugi talaga, anlaking lugi. Tumama kasi ang bagyo tapos may peste pa,” he said.

“Dati ‘yung isang ektarya nakakakuha kami ng 100, ngayon maswerte na kung may 80, pero nasa 60 lang ang nakuha namin,” Juan Velasquez, another farmer, added.

According to the Mangaldaan Municipal Agriculture Office, about 50 percent or more than 1,000 hectares of rice fields in the town have already been harvested as of October 9, 2025.

However, production has declined in many areas, from the usual five tons per hectare to just around three tons.

“Iba-iba kasi ang kondisyon ng bawat barangay. Mayroon ‘yung naabutan ng baha, ‘yun ang isang naging cause ng mababang production. Tapos mayroon ‘yung hindi maiwasan, ‘yung iba na-peste kaya hindi maiwasan mababa ang ani,” Rice Coordinator Manuel Aquino said.

Despite the reduced yield, the local agriculture office assured residents that the rice supply remains stable since about 70 percent of rice sold in the markets still comes from outside the town.

The price of newly harvested palay in Mangaldaan ranges from P10 to P11 per kilo, as of press time.