MANILA -- The amount of damage and losses from Typhoon “Ambo” (Vongfong) was pegged at PHP960.19 million as of Thursday from the previously-reported PHP1.56 billion with volume of production loss at 44,151 metric tons (MT), affecting 28,147 hectares of agricultural areas, and 54,187 farmers and fisherfolk.
According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the decrease in the total damage and losses was attributed to the updated reports from Calabarzon and Central Luzon, particularly on high-value crops and rice, after initial validation.
The total amount also includes updated reports from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), MIMAROPA, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas Regions. These values are subject to validation.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region IV-A, together with DA Regional Field Office (RFO) IV-A and other government agencies in Calabarzon conducted Aerial Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis to validate the reported damage and losses brought by “Ambo” in the region.
High-value crops remain the most affected commodity at 55 percent (PHP529.78 million) that include banana (PHP208.07 million), papaya (PHP16.52 million), and other assorted fruits and vegetables (PHP302.67 million).
This was followed by rice at 24 percent (PHP231.32 million), corn at 13 percent (PHP126.03 million), fisheries at 4 percent (PHP41.06 million), livestock at 2 percent (PHP23.60 million), and agri-infrastructure at 1 percent (PHP8.40 million).
DA Secretary WIlliam Dar said the Department will continue to fast-track the delivery of interventions to typhoon-stricken farmers and fisherfolk.
The following assistance from the DA is available for farmers and fisherfolk affected by “Ambo”:
1. Quick Response Fund (QRF) worth Php 700 million for the rehabilitation of affected areas.
2. Enough funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to compensate insured farmers. Processing of indemnifications is being fast-tracked.
3. Prepositioned rice seeds (109,586 bags), corn seeds (10,116 bags), assorted vegetable seeds (1,195 kg), from CAR, Regions I, III, IV-A, V, VI, VII, and VIII.
4. Prepositioned drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs.
Damage assessment and field validation are still being conducted by affected regions to provide more accurate reports on the impact of “Ambo” to the agri-fisheries sector.
Moreover, the RFOs are now crafting their respective rehabilitation and recovery plans for typhoon-affected areas, which will be consolidated and finalized within this month.
The DA-Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Operations Center will continuously issue updates regarding "Ambo". (PR)
