The Department of Agriculture (DA) said standing crops that may be affected by tropical storm Paeng are estimated at a million hectares or 70.59 percent of the national standing crops for rice and 64,336 ha or 26.64 percent of the national standing crops for corn.
The DA bulletin issued at 12 noon yesterday collated data from the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Cordillera Administrative Region.
The agency has advised farmers to harvest matured crops and utilize post-harvest facilities; secure seed reserves, planting materials and other farm inputs, as well as feeds and water for livestock; relocate animals, farm machineries, and equipment to higher ground; and clear drainage in irrigation and rice paddies from obstructions to prevent flooding.
Fisherfolk are advised to perform early harvest and mobilize post-harvest equipment and facilities; secure fishing vessels in higher ground; and dismiss sea travel as potentially rough conditions prevail over affected seaboards.
Citing data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the DA said moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are likely today over the regions of Bicol and Eastern Visayas.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over Mimaropa, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Quezon, Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Aurora and the rest of Visayas. -Jed Macapagal
