The damage caused by the combined effects of Tropical Storm ”Crising” and the southwest monsoon (habagat) has risen to ₱134.66 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In its bulletin on Tuesday, July 22, the DA’s operations center said damage and losses in the country’s agriculture sector have increased from Monday’s ₱96.90 million as severe weather disturbance persists despite Crising’s exit from the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Data from the agency showed that the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas have reported damage and losses in rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, fisheries, livestock, and poultry.

The DA said the torrential weather has affected 6,377 farmers and fisherfolk, with an estimated production loss of 3,412 metric tons (MT).

Up to 8,035 hectares (ha) of agricultural areas were devastated from the impact of Crising and habagat.

Rice accounted for the bulk of the damage, with 91 percent or ₱121.88 million in losses, covering 7,911 ha and production losses of 3,075 MT.

Damage in corn production covered 99 ha, with output losses of 243 MT worth ₱5.34 million.

High-value crops also reported losses reaching ₱4.53 million, covering 25 ha and production losses of 94 MT.

Damage to livestock and poultry stood at ₱2.85 million, affecting 262 animals including chicken, swine, cattle, carabaos, goat, ducks, sheep, and turkey.

The DA said further damage and losses are expected in the affected regions as assessment and validation are still ongoing.

To assist affected farmers, the agency said it has distributed ₱495.44 million worth of agricultural inputs such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it has deployed buses and trucks from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to assist commuters who need to travel amid continued rains and flooding.

In a social media post, the DOTr said the buses would run from 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm.

Commuters will be picked up along the Quiapo-Angono, Quiapo-Fairview, Lawton-Alabang, and Philcoa-Fairview routes.

On Monday, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the Metro Manila Subway Project and other ongoing infrastructure projects to ensure that they do not block drainage systems, which could lead to flooding.

Dizon said he had earlier instructed contractors to ensure that the construction of projects would not cause flooding, especially during the rainy season.