P709M worth of assistance allotted for Karding-affected farmers, fisherfolk—DA
By Jel Santos
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has allocated over P709 million worth of assistance and interventions for farmers affected by the devastation of Super Typhoon "Karding".

To date, the agricultural damage wrought by Karding is pegged at P2.95 billion, according to the latest data of the DA.
The agency said its Quick Response Fund amounting to P500 million can be utilized for the immediate repair or rehabilitation of damaged production facilities.
According to the agriculture department, it is also prepared to distribute rice seeds, corn seeds, and vegetable seeds amounting to P170.34 million, P23.16 million, and P13.55 million, respectively.
The DA said it will also provide farm animals, drugs, and biologics worth P2.45 million through its livestock and poultry programs, as well as fingerlings and fishing equipment from the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
“Farmers and fisherfolk can also avail of loans up to P25,000 without interest and payable for three years through the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC),” the DA said.
The agricultural department said that mobile KADIWA centers are being rolled out in impacted areas to stabilize agri-fishery commodity pricing and supplies.
During a “Laging Handa” last Thursday, Sept.29, Agriculture Usec. Domingo F. Panganiban said prices of rice and vegetables may go up to 15 to 20 percent in the following days due to the agricultural damage in the country.