The non-stop heavy rains, brought about by the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Fabian, have so far brought damage of nearly P534 million to the agriculture sector, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Based on the latest report of the DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRM), the amount of damage and losses the agriculture sector sustained over the past week now stand at P533.54 million, so far affecting 22,516 farmers and fishermen.
In terms of production, combined volume losses now stand at 9,511 metric tons (MT), with 30,926 hectares of affected agricultural areas across Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region,and Western Visayas.
This, while affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, and livestock, while there is no reported damage on road networks and bridges that can affect accessibility and mobility of food supplies to date.
DA also assured that in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), there is still a regular movement of agri-fishery commodities in the affected regions.
The agency is also in close coordination with concerned national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and other DRRM-related offices for the impact of the southwest monsoon, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance.
As of now, DA already distributed a total of 121,119 bags of rice seeds; 14,832 bags of corn seeds, and 2,199 kilograms of assorted vegetables in CAR, Regions I, II, III, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA for the immediate recovery of affected farmers.
The agency also ordered the release of its Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas, while drugs and biologics are being prepared for livestock and poultry needs.
Prior to heavy rains, a total area of 2,398 hectares of rice has been harvested due to the early warning raised by DA. This is equivalent to a production of 12,649 MT, amounting to P227.94 million, spared from the impacts of the heavy rains.