AGRI DAMAGE. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa reports higher agricultural damage due to the combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclone Ferdie during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing on Friday (Sept. 20, 2024). He said damaged has climbed to more than PHP600 million, with the rice sector being the hardest hit. (Screengrab)
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday reported that agricultural damage caused by the combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) and tropical cyclone Ferdie has hit PHP600.83 million.
“Karamihan ng naapektuhan ay sa (Most of the affected areas are in) Palawan, Mindoro Occidental, at saka dito sa (also in) Antique, Western Visayas, at saka sa (and in) Zamboanga Peninsula,” DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.
The DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center said at least 11,170 farmers were affected in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula regions.
The majority of the reported damage was in rice production pegged at PHP562.75 million; followed by corn at PHP19.04 million; high-value crops at PHP18.22 million; and livestock and poultry at PHP819,200.
De Mesa assured the availability of quick response funds (QRF), as well as the prepositioned farm inputs and fertilizers for distribution, loan, and indemnification to affected farmers.
The DA-DRRM is yet to log the effects of tropical cyclones Gener and Helen on the agriculture sector.
Gener and Helen left the Philippine Area on Responsibility on Wednesday, the latter hovering less than 24 hours. (PNA)
