Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the fast-tracked release of insurance benefits for farmers impacted by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami). DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa conveyed that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has instructed the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to hasten the processing of claims, with an initial insurance fund of PHP667 million set aside for this purpose. The funds are expected to be disbursed within two weeks, following the completion of validation for insured affected farmers. According to Philippines News Agency, approximately 86,066 insured farmers across 10 regions are anticipated to benefit from the PCIC indemnification fund, with a significant portion of beneficiaries located in Central Luzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol. This move follows an earlier directive by Tiu Laurel for the release of indemnification to farmers affected by Super Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-Rey). The DA is also encouraging uni nsured farmers and fishers to register in the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA) to access additional aid. The DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center has highlighted the availability of PHP541.02 million worth of agricultural inputs, including rice, corn, and vegetable seedlings, along with drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry. Furthermore, a PHP500 million loanable fund is available through the Survival and Recovery Loan (SURE) program, offering zero-interest loans of PHP25,000 per farmer, payable over three years. The latest DA report indicates that around 131,661 farmers and fishers have been affected across various regions, including the Cordillera and Ilocos regions, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen, and Caraga. DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa reported a continuous rise in agricultural damage, with rice sector losses exceeding the usual 500,000 to 600,000 metric tons (MT) annual production loss. The palay (unhusked rice) production has suffered a loss of 516,438 MT, valued at PHP4.25 million, while the total agricultural loss is estimated at 557,851 MT, worth PHP5.75 billion. The 2024 palay output is projected to decrease to 19.41 million MT, down from the earlier target of 20.4 million MT. Despite the anticipated decline in local palay output, de Mesa assured stability in rice supply due to the importation of rice under reduced tariffs, facilitated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s Executive Order 62. The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) reported that approximately 3.79 million MT of rice imports had arrived in the country as of October 30.