MANILA – Agricultural damage due to the combined effects of enhanced southwest monsoon and Tropical Cyclone Ferdie has already reached PHP107.42 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
“Based on the initial assessment of DA Regional Field Offices (RFO) in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula on the combined effects of the Southwest Monsoon enhanced by Tropical Cyclone Ferdie, which exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on September 14, damage and losses have been reported on rice, corn, high-value crops, and livestock,” the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center said late Wednesday.
Around 4,749 metric tons (MT) of volume loss was incurred, affecting 1,327 farmers in the country.
The highest damage was recorded in rice production with around 4,340 MT amounting to PHP98.34 million, with Palawan being the hardest-hit area.
The DA-DRRM also reported damage in corn production worth PHP6.06 million; in high-value crops at PHP2.99 million; and PHP29,000 for livestock and poultry.
Meanwhile, damage and losses due to Tropical Cyclones Gener and Helen have yet to be reported, the DA-DRRM said.
The DA, meanwhile, assured the distribution of rice, corn, and vegetable seeds, as well as bio-control measures, the availability of PHP25,000 interest-free and payable for a three-year loanable amount, and indemnification funds.
On Sept. 9, the DA-DRRM logged 51,728 metric tons of volume loss in agriculture worth PHP2.26 billion due to Severe Tropical Storm Enteng. (PNA)
