Damage and losses to agriculture from Typhoon Odette have climbed to P11.7 billion, the Department of Agriculture said in an update.
The losses cover Regions CALABARZON, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga, affecting 411,038 farmers and fishers, with volume of production loss at 267,369 metric tons (MT) and 442,674 hectares of agricultural areas.
Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, coconut, sugarcane, abaca, livestock, and fisheries. Damage has also been incurred in agricultural infrastructures, machineries and equipment. These values are subject to validation.
Additional damage and losses are expected in areas affected by the strong typhoon.
According to the DA, prior to "ODETTE", a total area of 11,454 hectares of rice have been harvested from Regions Mimaropa, VI, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII with an equivalent production of 34,433 metric tons amounting to P615.53M. 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 of Agriculture (DA), through its Regional Field Offices (RFOs), is conducting assessment of damage and losses in the agri-fisheries sector.
The DA continuously coordinates with concerned NGAs, LGUs and other DRRM-related offices for the impact of "ODETTE", as well as available resources for interventions and assistance.
The Secretary reiterates that any rehabilitation, recovery and any form of assistance being extended by any member of the DA family in Typhoon Odette-affected provinces must be coordinated with the DA Regional Field Office (RFO) concerned. The same should be reported by the concerned RFO to the DA DRRM Operations Center, copy furnished the DA agency concerned. This is guided by the OneDA Reform Agenda.
At least P2.9-billion of readily-available assistance will be provided to farmers and fisherfolks affected. The bulk of these assistance include P1 billion for Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas, and P828 million from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers.