RECOVERY PLAN. Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region head Cameron Odsey (left) and Assistant Regional Director for Administration Danilo Daguio (right) watch a situation briefing presided over by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Abra on July 28, 2022. DA-CAR officials said they have begun crafting an agriculture recovery plan for the damage to infrastructure, fisheries, livestock, and high-value crop due to the magnitude 7 earthquake. (PNA photo by Jonathan Llanes)
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) has started crafting its rehabilitation plan as damage to agriculture due to the July 27 earthquake reached PHP59 million.
"As per the advice of the DA- Central Office's Rehabilitation and Recovery Support Office, we will now start crafting our rehabilitation and recovery plan. The concerned offices like Engineering, Livestock, and the High-Value Crops divisions will prepare the plan for their respective sectors," Dr. Cameron Odsey, DA-CAR chief, said in an interview on Thursday.
Based on its August 4 report, DA-CAR logged PHP20.207 million worth of damage to agriculture infrastructures, PHP7.89 million in farm structures; and PHP31.25 of production losses in livestock, fisheries, and crops.
Odsey said they continue to receive reports on damage which they validate in partnership with the municipal governments.
He said their request for the release of an initial PHP148 million as a quick response fund to help the affected farmers is being processed by the central office of the Department of Budget and Management.
Of the total amount, PHP108,963,700 will be used for the rice farmer financial assistance II, benefitting 21,158 farmers in Abra.
The rest of the amount will also be used for the fertilizer voucher and purchase of lowland vegetable seedlings, hybrid yellow corn, and other seeds for distribution to the affected farmers.
Odsey said their personnel at the regional office is also preparing the notice of transfer allocation for the speedy release of the assistance and purchase of supplies as soon as the fund is released.
He said DA-CAR has rolled out its "Kadiwa on Wheels" five times after the earthquake to bring cheap highland agricultural products to Abra.
A total of 15.9 tons of assorted vegetables have been brought to different municipalities in Abra, benefitting at least 2,355 households. (PNA)
