The cost of damage to agriculture on the combined effects of southwest monsoon and typhoon Carina amounted to P4.73 billion, according to data from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center.
The DA attached agency said in its 1 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday the southwest monsoon and Carina affected 68,690 metric tons (MT) of goods tended by 137,999 farmers and fisherfolk in 82,824 hectares (ha) of affected areas.
The agency said of the 82,824 ha affected, 60,106 ha or 72.57 percent have a chance for recovery and the remaining 22,720 ha or 27.43 percent have no chance to be restored.
Data on damage was derived from recorded from 12 regions: Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western and Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen and Caraga,
Irrigation facilities had the highest value of damage of P1.64 billion.
It was followed by rice at P1.08 billion equivalent to 18,629 MT and fisheries, P783.96 million affecting 8,395 fisherfolk.
High value crops sustained a total damage of P691.62 million equivalent to volume loss of 19,969 MT; corn with P469.45 million for 18,170 MT of damaged crops; P38.26 million for livestock and poultry equivalent to 25,855 heads; P12 million for cassava at 472 MT; P4.44 million for agri infrastructure; and P4.01 million for machineries and equipment.
DA said as form of assistance, it distributed 64,404 bags of rice, 45,307 bags of corn seeds, 1,300 kgs, 63,124 packs and 370 cans of vegetable seeds; apart from P6.31 million worth of bio control measures.
The agency offered the Survival and Recovery Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council with loanable amount of up to P25,000 payable in three years at zero interest and quick response fund for the rehabilitation of affected areas; and indemnification from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.
Fingerlings, fishing gears and other equipment were also provided by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
