The onslaught of Tropical Storm “Dante” in Visayas and Mindanao regions has caused more than P63-million worth of damages and losses to agricultural areas and products.

In Bulletin No. 5 on TS Dante issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA), the total amount of damage and losses is recorded at P63.61 million affecting 1,780 farmers.

The DA further reported that the volume of production loss was recorded at 2,309 metric tons and 2,623 hectares of agricultural areas in Western Visayas, Davao, Soccsksargen and Caraga regions.

The affected commodities include rice, corn and high value crops. These values are still subject to validation.

However, the DA said that due to its early advisory prior to the entry of TS Dante, a total area of 20,134 hectares of rice have been harvested from Regions I, II, III, IV-A and VI with an equivalent production of 86,448 metric tons amounting to P 1.59 billion.

As for corn, a total of 7,758 hectares have been harvested from Regions I and Mimaropa with an equivalent production of 42,365 metric tons amounting to P720 million.

The DA, meanwhile, said the farmers and fisherfolk affected by the tropical storm will be given assistance which includes a total of 170,774 bags of rice seeds, 34,820 bags of corn seeds and 11,227 kgs of assorted vegetables from DA regional field offices as well as quick response fund for the rehabilitation of affected areas and drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs.

Other assistance includes the Survival and Recovery Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, and available funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. to indemnify affected farmers.

Meanwhile, the death toll due to TS Dante has reached six, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Friday.

In its update, the agency said deaths from the storm include one from Western Visayas, one from Central Visayas, two from Davao Region and two from Soccsksargen.

The number of injured was placed at two, both reported in the Davao Region.

Three were reported missing – two in Eastern Visayas and one in Davao Region.

The NDRRMC said search-and-rescue operations are still ongoing for three missing persons, and that all casualty figures are subject for verification and validation.

Families affected by TS Dante were placed at 12,260 or 55,226 persons residing in 177 barangays in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao Region, Soccsksargen and Caraga.

Of this figure, 4,439 families or around 16,680 individuals are being sheltered in 140 evacuation centers. With Philippine News Agency