AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee (Rep. Lee's office)

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee criticized on Sunday, May 5, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for their inconsistent figures on the agricultural damage caused by El Niño.

“Nakakalito ang mga lumalabas na datos mula sa DA at NDRRMC. Bukod sa hindi nagtutugma, napakalaki ng diperensya ng inilalabas nilang mga numero,” Lee said in a statement.

(The reported data from DA and NDRRMC are confusing. Aside from not matching, the difference in the numbers they put out is huge.)

According to the April 29 report of the NDRRMC, El Niño caused more than P1.6 billion in agricultural damage, affecting 44,437 hectares of crops. About 46,805 farmers and fisherfolk were affected by the extreme heat.

Meanwhile, in a report by the DA published a day later, the damage to the agricultural sector was pegged at P5.9 billion, devastating a total of 104,402 hectares of agricultural areas. It is said to have affected 113,585 farmers and fisherfolk in 12 regions of the country.

“Dapat linawin kung bakit magkaiba at alin ang dapat sundin dito (It should be clarified why there is a variance and which one should be followed),” said Lee.

The Bicol lawmaker stressed the importance of consistent and accurate figures since it becomes the basis for the government’s assistance to those affected by the blistering heat.

“How much will be given to how many is reliant on the reports being published kaya sana po ay magkaroon ng maayos na komunikasyon sa pagitan ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno na nag-a-assess at naglalabas ng mga ganitong datos (so hopefully there will be proper communication between the government agencies that assess and release such data),” he said.

According to the DA, it has so far provided at least P2.18 billion worth of assistance to El Niño-affected farmers and fisherfolk.

“Napaka-crucial ng tamang datos para makapaghatid ng sapat at mabilis na tulong sa mga nangangailangan. Deserve ng ating mga kababayan ang mas maayos na serbisyo, mabawasan ang kanilang mga pasanin, at maibsan ang kanilang pangamba na lalong mabaon sa hirap at utang sa panahon ng kagipitan tulad na lang kung may magkasakit sa pamilya,” Lee said.

(Accurate data is crucial in delivering adequate and prompt assistance to those in need. Our countrymen deserve better services to ease their burdens, and to alleviate their fear of being further buried in poverty and debt during times of crisis, like when someone in the family gets an illness.)

“We deserve better, and we must demand better for efficient and swift services,” he added.