Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced over PHP3 billion in government assistance for farmers and fishers impacted by Tropical Depression Mirasol, Super Typhoon Nando (international name Ragasa), and the ongoing Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi).
According to Philippines News Agency, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa confirmed in a phone interview that the agency has strategically positioned interventions across the regions to aid those affected. These interventions include agricultural inputs, drugs, and biologics, which are readily available to address the needs arising from the storms.
The comprehensive assistance package comprises 142,219 bags of palay seeds, 91,485 bags of corn seeds, 40,518 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds, and over 1.19 million tilapia, bangus, and catfish fingerlings. In addition, the National Food Authority (NFA) has set aside 2.4 million bags of rice to support local government units and relief agencies.
Furthermore, loan and indemnification programs have been made available to affected farmers, with a quick response fund earmarked for the recovery and rehabilitation of damaged agricultural lands, de Mesa noted.
As of Friday, the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center reported that agricultural damages from "Mirasol" and "Nando" have reached PHP964.45 million, up from an initial estimate of PHP565.05 million. Approximately 32,738 farmers and fishers have been affected, with production losses totaling 82,557 metric tons (MT) across 32,384 hectares in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas.
"The highest damage is in Cagayan Valley, specifically in the province of Cagayan, registering PHP653 million in damage," de Mesa said. This was followed by Isabela at PHP134 million, Ilocos Norte at PHP60 million, Batangas at PHP22 million, and Pangasinan at nearly PHP16 million.
The rice sector reported the largest losses, valued at PHP687.92 million for a 66,125 MT volume loss. Corn production losses amounted to PHP190.32 million, while high-value crops suffered PHP81.71 million in losses covering lowland and upland vegetables, spices, legumes, and fruits. The livestock and poultry sector reported PHP927,000 in damage, affecting 370 heads of various livestock. Damage to cassava was reported at PHP21,000.
Additionally, damage to agricultural infrastructure remained at PHP3 million, irrigation systems at PHP500,000, and machinery and equipment at PHP15,000.
