HEAVY equipment clears debris in the aftermath of ‘Opongi in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro. (Jerry Alcayde)
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – The provincial government reported P1 billion in damage to agriculture from tropical cyclone “Opong.”
Gov. Humerlito A. Dolor reported that some 16,752 farmers and fishermen were severely affected and private properties, particularly in southern part of the province, sustained extensive damage.
Dolor thanked Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Undersecretary Diane Cajipe, and Regional Director Leo Reynoso for the immediate release of Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) to the province.
The province was placed under a state of calamity on Sept. 29 thru Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 7938-2025.
This paved the way for the immediate use of calamity funds by local government units, fast-tracking of relief operations, and price freeze on primary commodities.
The Department of Agriculture 4-B (Mimaropa or Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) assured that the region will have sufficient rice supply despite the recent tropical cyclones and shipment of rice to Visayas.
DA-MIMAROPA Field Operations Division chief Renie Madriaga is confident that the region can sustain stability in rice supply for the remainder of the year after it produced 519,936 metric tons of palay from January to June 2025, a five percent improvement in average yield compared to last year’s output.
On Sept. 30, the DA dispatched personnel to distribute rice at P20 per kilo in Pinamalayan town that benefited hundreds of affected residents, particularly those living in coastal communities.
In San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) urged farmers to immediately file their indemnity claims.
In Odiongan, Romblon, more than 400 residents will be employed under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program as part of the recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the Department of Labor and Employment.