(Photo courtesy of Cagayan PIO)
MANILA – The amount of damage and losses to crops and other agricultural products due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by Super Typhoon Goring has reached PHP1.07 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday.
“The damage and losses brought by 'Goring' have increased from PHP898.4 million to PHP1.07 billion with a volume of production loss of 46,811 metric tons, affecting 42,333 hectares of agricultural land and 31,060 farmers.” the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DA-DRRM) said in its latest bulletin.
“The increase is due to the updated reports from Calabarzon (Region IV-A) and Western Visayas (Region VI) and the additional report from Mimaropa (Region IV-B),” the bulletin added.
The affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, livestock and poultry.
The DA, through its Regional Field Offices (RFOs), is also assessing damage and losses brought by the cyclone in the agriculture and fishery sectors.
It alsp continuously coordinates with concerned national government agencies, local government units and other DRRM-related offices for the impacts of the super typhoon as well as available resources for interventions and assistance.
The DA noted that the available interventions for affected farmers include PHP100 million worth of rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds; drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry; survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) with loanable amount of up to PHP25,000 payable in three years at zero interest; and Quick Response Fund for the rehabilitation of affected areas. (PNA)
