Floods cause ₧642.45-million agriculture losses in 5 regions

THE Department of Agriculture (Da)saidp 642.45 million worth of farm produce was damaged and lost due to flooding caused by the combined effects of Tail-end of Frontal System (TEFS) and Low Pressure Area (LPA) in five regions nationwide.

In its latest damage report, the DA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (DADRRM Opcen) said 39,992 farmers and 35,991 hectares of agricultural areas were affected by TEFS and LPA.

“The affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry in Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Caraga regions, while damage in agricultural infrastructures were also recorded in Aklan,” DA-DRRM Opcen added.

DA-DRRM Opcen said affected farmers would receive assistance from the government in the form of rice, corn and assorted vegetables seeds; drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry; Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) and indemnification from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC).

“The Department is in close coordination with concerned NGAS [national government agencies ],

LGUS and other Drrm-related offices for the impact of the flooding caused by the TEFS and LPA, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance,” DADRRM Opcen said.

DA-DRRM Opcen data showed that the rice sector bore the brunt of the damage as 35,454 hectares were affected, with and estimated volume loss of 10,659 MT worth P598.66 million.

DA-DRRM Opcen also showed that P21.08 million worth of 891 MT of high-value crops produced from 297 hectares were affected while damage to the corn sector reached P6.45 million, involving 40 MT of production loss from 241 hectares.

DA-DRRM Opcen said 5,906 heads of livestock and poultry, which include chicken, swine, cattle, carabao, goat, sheep, duck and turkey with a total value of P6.24 million were affected by the TEFS and LPA.

DA-DRRM Opcen added that the weather disturbance also damaged livestock and poultry houses and approach bridges worth P10.02 million.