Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to provide at least PHP495.44 million in assistance to farmers and fishers affected by Severe Tropical Storm Crising, internationally known as Wipha, and the enhanced southwest monsoon, locally called 'habagat,' as reported by the agency's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center on Tuesday. The initiative aims to support the immediate recovery of agricultural areas in regions including Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas.
According to Philippines News Agency, the assistance will encompass the distribution of agricultural inputs such as rice, corn, and vegetable seedlings. Additionally, the DA has activated its quick response fund to aid the rehabilitation of affected farms, particularly those in the early planting and vegetative stages. To further support the affected farmers, a loanable amount of up to PHP25,000 is available through the Survival and Recovery Loan (SURE) program of the Agricultural Credit Policy. This loan is payable over three years with zero interest. Registered and insured farmers may also receive indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
Based on DA-DRRM Bulletin No. 7, the agricultural damage attributed to the southwest monsoon and Crising is estimated at 3,412 metric tons (MT), amounting to PHP134.66 million and affecting 6,377 farmers and fishers. "These figures are still subject to change as we continue to assess the situation on the ground," stated Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations and DA officer-in-charge Roger Navarro.
The rice sector has suffered approximately 3,075 MT in losses valued at PHP121.88 million, impacting at least 7,911 hectares of rice lands in areas such as Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, Antique, and Negros Occidental. Meanwhile, damages to corn production were recorded at PHP5.34 million, and high-value crops, including eggplant, hot pepper, pole sitao, pineapple, and legumes, were valued at PHP4.53 million. Losses in the livestock and poultry sector, including 262 heads of chicken, swine, cattle, carabaos, goats, ducks, sheep, and turkeys, amounted to PHP2.85 million. The fisheries sector reported PHP44,950 in losses, affecting tilapia and milkfish fingerlings, motorized boats, and fishpond dikes, impacting 10 fishers. Additionally, cassava losses amounted to PHP9,000.
