Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered regional offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to fast-track damage verification and loss assessments after recent tropical cyclones and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) left the farm sector reeling from P1.38 billion in losses.
The DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center reported that the combined impact of cyclones Mirasol and Nando and Habagat damaged 47,723 hectares of farmland across nine regions, affecting 55,595 farmers and workers.
Production losses were estimated at 109,997 metric tons, encompassing rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry.
In Cagayan province alone, where Tiu Laurel joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to distribute aid, the DA estimated losses at P700 million.
The department has lined up assistance, including 142,219 bags of palay seeds, 90,320 bags of corn seeds, 40,518 kilograms of vegetable seeds, 1.65 million fingerlings, veterinary supplies and access to zero-interest Survival and Recovery (SURE) loans of up to P25,000, along with crop insurance indemnification.
The PCIC has set aside P236 million in payouts for 25,800 farmers in eight regions, with P206 million earmarked for rice-related losses.
To aid relief efforts, Tiu Laurel, who also chairs the National Food Authority (NFA), ordered the release of rice stocks.
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said 2.4 million bags have been earmarked for disaster response, equivalent to nine days of national consumption.
Meanwhile, the DA continues to consolidate damage reports from Severe Tropical Storm Opong, which struck central agricultural areas, including Mindoro and Masbate. Initial figures are expected Sunday.
The DA assured consumers it will continue selling P20-per-kilo rice through KADIWA ng Pangulo outlets, particularly in hard-hit areas.
