Initial cost of damage to the agriculture sector of the continuous effects of the southwest monsoon, which was enhanced by typhoons “Egay” and “Falcon”, is now at P4.66 billion, according to latest data from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center.
The DA attached agency said as of 5 p.m. on Friday, total cost of damage is equivalent to 158,995 metric tons (MT) of goods tended by 187,225 farmers in 200,456 hectares (ha) of affected areas.
The agency said damage and losses in rice amounted to P1.79 billion, affecting 114,735 ha and posting production losses of 42,778 MT, or 0.22 percent of the total annual rice production target of 19.76 million MT.
For corn, damage and losses amounted to P1.86 billion, with affected areas at 83,596 ha and volume of production loss at 102,207 MT, or 1.10 percent of the total annual corn production target volume of 9.30 million MT.
Other sectors that suffered damage include infrastructure at P356.12 million, high value crops at P314.11 million, fisheries at P175.39 million and livestock and poultry, P157.32 million.
The DA said its monitoring captured data from the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen and Caraga.
The DA said among assistance currently available for distribution to affected farmers and fishers include P65.3 million worth of rice seeds and fertilizers; P94.7 million worth of corn seeds and pesticides; P39.6 million worth of assorted vegetable seeds; P62,000 worth of fingerlings; P5.9 million worth of fuel assistance to fisherfolks; and P1.9 million worth of repair and maintenance of damaged motorized boats.
They could also avail 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.
The DA said P700 million worth of quick response fund for the rehabilitation of affected areas is also available.
Meanwhile, various farm groups appeal for more government aid for their recovery. The KilusangMagbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said the government, through the DA, should take “serious actions” to address concerns brought by the typhoons.
“We are facing two major problems in the aftermath of supertyphoon Egay — heavy agriculture and fisheries production losses and price surges of rice, vegetables, livestock, poultry and all food stuff,” said Danilo Ramos, KMP chairperson, in a statement.
Ramos said among the most urgent demands of farmers and fishers to the DA are the grant of a P25,000 cash aid to farmers whose farms and crops were either damaged or destroyed, and to fishers who were not able to go fishing in the past weeks.
KMP said the sector also sought aid for farmers whose farm animals drowned in the massive flooding as well as emergency shelter assistance for those whose houses were damaged.
The group likewise wants a price freeze and price ceiling for rice, vegetables, poultry, livestock and other basic commodities as well as the immediate release and distribution of the rice farmers financial assistance or P5,000 each for 2.4 million rice farmers, among others.
The Pambansang Lakas ng KilusangMamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is demanding the DA to provide the necessary aid and subsidies to help fishers and farmers recover their losses in production amid the recent typhoons.
Salvador France, Pamalakaya secretary general, said fishers all over the country report their inability to go fishing due to consecutive typhoons intensifying the southwest monsoon.
France said in Cavite alone, over 7,000 affected fisherfolk from at least five coastal towns were affected.
