Quinta's damage to agri sector rises to P401-M
Typhoon Quinta already left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), but its damage to the agriculture sector is still rising.
As of late Wednesday, Quinta's damage and losses on agri-fisheries, particularly in Regions I, IV-A, V and VI, already amounted to a total of P401.73 million, data from the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRM) showed.
The typhoon specifically resulted in volume loss of about 20,568 metric tons (MT), affecting 16,531 farmers within 14,252 hectares of agricultural areas.
Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, fisheries, livestock, irrigation and agri-facilities. These values are subject for validation.
Quinta exited PAR on Wednesday morning, bringing moderate to heavy rains in some parts of the country.
The DA's regional field offices in the affected regions are still assessing damage and losses in crops, livestock and fisheries, including farm infrastructures and buildings.
They are also in the process of providing the needed emergency assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk.
The assistance that available to affected farmers include a Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of areas affected by the tropical cyclone, as well as a total of 26,223 bags of rice seeds, 6,785 bags of corn seeds, and 1,792 kilograms (kgs) of vegetables for distribution.
DA is also readying the Survival and Recovery (SURE) loan program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) in case affected farmers would be interested to borrow money.