Almost 3,000 farmers were affected by typhoon "Odette" following the assessment of damages and losses, which, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA), has so far reached an estimated P 127 million worth of agricultural products.
In response, DA Sec. William Dar said the department will be providing at least P852.47 million worth of assistance ready and available to the affected farmers and fishers. This includes P500 million worth of Quick Response Fund for the rehabilitation of affected areas, P148 million for rice seeds, P57.6 million for corn seeds, P44.6 million of assorted vegetables.
The affected farmers were from Western Visayas and Caraga Region while the affected commodities include rice, corn and high value crops.
The numbers are expected to increase as typhoon Odette continues to devastate several regions in Visayas and Mindanao.
Before the typhoon, Dar said they were able to warn farmers, which led to a total area of 11,454 hectares of harvested rice from Regions Mimaropa, VI, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII with an equivalent production of 34,433 metric tons amounting to P615.53 million.
As for corn, a total of 2,452 hectares have been harvested from Region IV-A, Mimaropa, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII with an equivalent production of 6,965 metric tons amounting to P82.55 million.
The department, through its Regional Field Offices (RFOs), continues to conduct assessment of damage and losses in the agri-fisheries sector. Also, coordination from different LGUs and regional offices of the DA is being done to determine the impact of the typhoon, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance.
Dar said some P100 million under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC); P1.64-million worth of fingerlings and assistance to the affected fisherfolk from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); P625,150 worth of drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs from RFO V; and available funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) will be used to indemnify farmers.