The agricultural damage caused by Super Typhoon Karding has skyrocketed to P2.02 billion, Department of Agriculture (DAR) Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban disclosed on Thursday, Sept 29.
He noted that the typhoon destroyed 20 percent of the total area planted in the country, affecting 91,944 farmers and fisherfolk.
“Actually, ang total damage na naitala namin as of this morning is P2.02 billion sa lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, at Quezon (Actually, the total damage recorded as of this morning, Sept. 29, is P2.02 in provinces of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Quezon),” Panganiban said during a “Laging Handa” briefing.
Due to Karding’s damage to agriculture, Panganiban said prices of rice and vegetables may go up in the following days.
“Maaring magkaroon ng pagtaas lalo na sa palay at sa gulay sapagkat ito ay matinding tinamaan sa Central Luzon kung kaya’t maaring tumaas nang mga P15 to P20 percent ang presyo ng kalakalan sa palenke (There may be an increase especially in rice and vegetables because they have been badly affected in Central Luzon, so the trading price in the market may increase by P15 to P20 percent),” he said.
In spite of Karding’s blow to the agriculture department, the DA is still bullish that the country has enough supply of rice until next year.
Aid to farmers, fisherfolk
Panganiban said the agriculture department will provide affected farmers with P170.34 million worth of rice seeds, P23.16 million worth of corn seeds and P13.55M worth of assorted vegetable seeds.
The DA will also give p2.45 million worth of animal heads, drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry, he added.
“Fingerlings and fishing paraphernalia will be provided by the BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) to affected fisherfolk,” he said.
Affected farmers and fishers, he said, may get a loan from the DA’s Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) with loanable amount of up to P25,000 payable in three years at zero interest.
The agriculture department said it will also provide P500 million worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas.
The DA said mobile KADIWA centers were rolled out in areas affected by STY Karding to stabilize prices and supply of agri-fishery commodities
“Huwag po kayong mag-alalaa mga kababayan—lalo na ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda— kami po ay nakatakdang tumulong sa inyo sa ano mang pamamaraan ( Don't worry, fellow citizens—especially farmers and fishermen—we are prepared to assist you in any way possible),” Panganiban ended.