Agaton agri damage in VisMin hits P1.4B
TROPICAL Depression Agaton has already damaged at least P1.4-billion worth of agricultural products and lands in Visayas and Mindanao.
In its Bulletin No. 12 on TD “AGATON,” issued yesterday, the Department of Agriculture disclosed that the damage and losses have been reported in Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen and Caraga.
The DA said that there were 23,188 farmers and fishers affected with volume of production loss at 35,258 metric tons (MT) and 17,384 hectares of agricultural areas.
Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, livestock, and fisheries. These values are subject to validation.
The DA added that the increase in overall damage and losses is due to additional reports on fisheries in Western Visayas.
The DA through its Regional Field (RFOs), continuously conducts assessment of damage and losses brought by TD “AGATON” in the agri-fisheries sector.
Meanwhile, the DA disclosed that at least P662.5-million of readily-available assistance will be provided to farmers and fisherfolk affected.
These assistance includeP500-M worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas; P100-M under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) for Western Visayas; P42.07-M worth of rice seeds, P16.76-M worth of corn seeds, P3.61-M worth of assorted vegetables; P0.04-M worth of animal stocks, drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry from RFO XIII; and Available funds from Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers.
