Manila: The rice sector suffered the biggest losses following the onslaught of Tropical Depression Mirasol and Super Typhoon Nando (international name Ragasa), as well as the southwest monsoon (habagat), the Department of Agriculture said. The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DA-DRRM) Operations Center Bulletin No. 7 issued Wednesday night showed that it recorded PHP565.05 million worth of initial agricultural damage, affecting at least 17,061 farmers and production losses of 49,896 metric tons (MT) across 16,120 hectares of farmland in these regions.
According to Philippines News Agency, the rice sector losses were at 44,020 MT worth PHP440.75 million, with most of the damage sustained during the reproductive and maturity stages of palay (unhusked rice). Affected areas include the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas. The highest volume of losses was logged in Cagayan and the northernmost provinces, followed by Isabela.
Damage to high-value crops reached PHP67.33 million, covering lowland and upland vegetables, spices, legumes, and fruits. The corn sector, meanwhile, incurred losses of 4,354 MT worth PHP53.02 million; while the livestock and poultry sector posted PHP423,000 in damage covering 110 heads of chicken, swine, cattle, goat, sheep, duck, horse, and turkey. Damage to agricultural infrastructure was also reported at PHP3 million; irrigation systems at PHP500,000; and machinery and equipment at PHP15,000.
The DA assured interventions for affected farmers as both the national and regional DRRM Operations Centers remain on red alert. To date, the department has prepositioned 142,219 bags of palay seeds; 91,485 bags of corn seeds; 40,518 kg. of assorted vegetable seeds; and over 1.19 million tilapia, bangus, and catfish fingerlings in its regional field offices. The National Food Authority has more than 2.4 million bags on standby for local government units and relief agencies, while loan and indemnification programs for affected farmers are also available.
