‘Maymay’, ‘Neneng’ leave P400M worth of agri damage
MORE than P400 million worth of agricultural products and farmlands have been damaged due to the onslaught of Tropical Depression “Maymay” and Typhoon “Neneng” in the northern part of the country.
In its Bulletin No. 4 on TD “Maymay” and TY “Neneng,” the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that the damage and losses had been reported in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley amounting to P427.77 million.
The DA said that there are 19,692 farmers affected, with the volume of production loss at 26,529 metric tons (MT) and 20,796 hectares of agricultural areas.
Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries. These values are subject to validation.
The values of damage and losses for “Maymay” and “Neneng” have been combined as the two tropical cyclones occurred in one week and affected the same agricultural areas in CAR, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley.
The DA continuously coordinates with concerned NGAs (national government agencies), LGUs (local government units), and other DRRM-related (disaster risk reduction management) offices for the impact of tropical cyclones, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance.
Mobile Kadiwa centers are being set up for rolling out in areas affected by the two cyclones to stabilize prices and supply of agri-fishery commodities.
The following assistance is available for distribution to affected farmers and fishers: rice, corn, and assorted vegetable seeds; drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry; fingerlings and assistance to affected fisherfolk from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) with a loanable amount of up to P25,000 payable in three years at zero interest; and Quick Response Fund (QRF) for rehabilitating affected areas.
