Surigao del sur: The Department of Agriculture (DA) 13 (Caraga) has disbursed over PHP2.8 million in aid to farmers affected by Tropical Storm Basyang and the shear line in Surigao del Sur. The twin weather disturbances that affected the region last month caused about PHP48.3 million in damage to agricultural production and over PHP2 million to agricultural infrastructure, according to data from DA-13 on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the province of Surigao del Sur was the first to request assistance for the affected farmers. Gerlie Antipaso, the officer-in-charge of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of DA-13, stated in a phone interview that last week 1,800 sacks of certified rice seeds worth PHP1.58 million had been released to Surigao del Sur. In addition, 400 kilos of rodenticides worth PHP1.28 million were also given to the province to prevent rat infestation, which is a concern in rice fields after flooding.
Antipaso mentioned that after submitting their damage reports, the affected local government units (LGUs) are required by the agency to submit requests for interventions to address their immediate needs. She emphasized that DA-13 is collating all of the requests and will continue the release of the interventions by next week. Besides the requests from LGUs, DA-13 has also submitted its Rehabilitation and Recovery Program (RRP) to the national office for approval and release of interventions.
The RRP includes interventions amounting to PHP43.15 million, with allocations of PHP37.1 million for rice farmers, PHP5.2 million for high-value crops farmers, and PHP854,000 for poultry and livestock. The budget is intended for rice seeds, various vegetable seeds, fertilizers, poultry, livestock, and biologics.
Data from DA-13 revealed that 1,684.83 hectares of rice fields, with a volume of 445.31 metric tons (MT), were damaged by the recent calamities, resulting in losses of over PHP36.2 million. Additionally, the report recorded damage to high-value crops totaling 187.91 MT across 105.98 hectares, valued at over PHP9 million. The corn sector also sustained damage of 31.80 MT across 87.70 hectares, valued at around PHP2.7 million, while the remaining figures are attributed to damage in livestock and poultry.
