Agri damage from tropical storms, habagat breach ₱1 billion
Published Jul 25, 2025 03:05 pm
AERIAL view of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental following floods triggered by tropical cyclone ‘Crising.’ (Jernie Sta Rita Rondin FB)
The combined damage of three successive tropical storms and the southwest monsoon or “habagat” on the agriculture sector has now risen to ₱1.12 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Based on the DA’s latest bulletin on Friday, July 25, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Socckskargen have reported damage and losses in their respective agriculture sectors.
These regions saw severe impact on rice, corn, cassava, high value crops, fisheries, livestock and poultry, and even agricultural infrastructure.
With the devastation brought by “habagat” and tropical storms “Crising,” “Dante,” and “Emong,” 45,408 farmers and fisherfolk have now been affected.
The DA said 43,741 hectares (ha) of agricultural areas have been damaged by the severe weather, resulting in a production loss of 26,566 metric tons (MT).
The rice sector accounted for bulk of the damage, covering 41,189 ha of rice crops, majority of which are newly planted and in vegetative states. Around 19,819 MT of rice valued at ₱664.36 million were estimated to have been lost.
High-value crops reported losses reaching ₱162.16 million from a production loss of 4,509 MT, with damage to 918 ha.
Damage in corn covered 1,613 ha, with output losses of 2,088 MT worth ₱55.7 million.
The torrential weather has affected the livelihood of 1,436 fisherfolk, incurring a production loss of an estimated ₱202.35 million.
The damage and losses reported on Friday could still rise as assessment and validation of affected areas is still ongoing.
The DA said it is in close coordination with concerned agencies and local government units (LGUs) to assess the impact of recent weather disturbances, including road blockages that may affect the food supply chain.
It is likewise monitoring any changes in prices of agricultural commodities to prevent potential profiteering.
In a recent television interview, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the supply of rice and vegetables remains sufficient despite heavy flooding in certain areas across the country.
De Mesa, also the DA’s spokesman, said food supply chains across affected regions also remain unaffected.
In terms of price increases, he said it should not exceed 10 percent or else that would fall under profiteering, which is a violation of consumer protection laws.
In a separate statement, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said prices of basic necessities and prime commodities remain stable based on its monitoring efforts.
To help affected farmers and fisherfolk, the DA is set to distribute ₱653.01-million worth of agricultural and fishery inputs.
The agency has activated the ₱400-million Survival and Recovery (SURE) loan program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), which offers loans of up to ₱25,000 to those affected, payable over three years at zero interest.
Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has also set an initial amount of ₱268 million for the indemnification of nearly 46,000 insured farmers.
Meanwhile, the National Food Authority (NFA) said it has allocated over 43,000 bags of rice to affected communities.