The Department of Agriculture (DA) has distributed P3 billion worth of agricultural interventions to aid farmers and fishermen affected by Typhoon "Odette" last year.
In a statement released Thursday, Jan. 20, DA Secretary William Dar vowed to double the agency's efforts in assisting the affected farmers and fishers in the final week of January.
The latest data from the DA-Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DA-DRRM) Operation Center showed that the agricultural damage caused by the typhoon has already reached P13.3 billion — affecting 533,709 farmers and fishers.
Of the P3-billion assistance, P1 billion came from the Quick Response Fund (QRF) of the DA for the rehabilitation of Odette-affected regions mostly in Visayas and Mindanao.
A total of P828 million was set aside by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) as a potential payout to around 79,217 insured farmers and fishers affected by the typhoon.
In addition, the DA's SURE Loan Assistance Program, run by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), has approved a loan of P500 million for 20,000 affected farmers and fishers.
For farm recovery efforts, the DA distributed P500 million certified rice, corn, and assorted vegetable seeds; P1.63 million in seed nuts, seedlings, and fertilizers from the Philippine Coconut Authority; P6.6 million worth of animal stocks, drugs, and biologics for livestock; and P.2 million in farm inputs from the Philippine Fiber Industry and Development Authority.
Moreover, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources provided P31.58 million worth of interventions for the fishery sector, such as fiber boats, marine diesel engines, boat repairs, and various fishery products as relief goods.
Although Dar acknowledged that more interventions need to be done to make up for the damages brought by the typhoon, he hopes that the agency's assistance would pave the way for the farmers and fishers to rebuild their livelihood.