Four days after typhoon "Jolina" left the country, the agricultural damage and losses it caused continue to balloon and is now at P633.36 million, the assessment of the Department of Agriculture disclosed Monday, Sept. 13.
It doubled from the previous recorded damage cost amounting to P324.04 million on Sept. 11.
The devastation translated into 26,749 metric tons of production loss, covering a total of 17,685 hectares of agricultural areas in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.
This has affected 36,983 farmers and fishers.
Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, livestock, fisheries, and irrigation and agriculture facilities.
Interventions and assistance have been in place to help the affected farmers and fisherfolk recover from the losses caused by the typhoon.
Rice, corn, various vegetable seeds, drugs, and biologics for livestock and poultry needs will be made available for the affected sector.
They will also be given access to Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas; Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC); and available funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers.
Meanwhile, agricultural losses left by typhoon “Kiko” in the country reached P6.5 million as of Monday, Sept. 13.