Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced it has readied support for farmers across the nation who could be impacted by the southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm Crising. This announcement follows a report from the DA's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center indicating an initial loss of PHP30,000 from a 20-hectare palay plantation in Negros Occidental, affecting 18 farmers.

According to Philippines News Agency, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa emphasized that approximately 742,000 hectares of palay and corn crops are being monitored along the storm's anticipated path. The areas of concern include the Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, and Western Visayas regions.

De Mesa noted that regional field offices are on standby in collaboration with local government units to preposition necessary agricultural supplies such as seedlings, fertilizers, and biologics, in addition to resources for livestock and fish stocks. He reassured that about 90 percent of the rice crops are in the vegetative stage, which could facilitate recovery if they are affected.

Currently, the DA has prepared several interventions, including the prepositioning of agricultural inputs, access to a quick response fund (QRF), and a PHP25,000 loan with zero interest, payable over three years through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council's (ACPC) Survival and Recovery (SURE) loan program. Furthermore, there is indemnification available for registered and insured farmers under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).