Farmers were able to save P6.33 billion of standing palay and corn crop with combined production volume 41,758 metric tons (MT) before Typhoon Ulysses ravaged farm lands along its path, the Department of Agriculture announced Thursday.
The crops were harvested from 69,816 hectares of agricultural lands in Regions II, III, IV and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR).
Farmers harvested some 341,812 MT of palay with a value of P5.48 billion and 6,758 MT corn amounting to P85.62 million.
The DA said it was in close coordination with non-government agencies, local government units and other disaster risk management-related offices. It has also prepared 104,544 bags of rice seeds, 10,223 bags of corn seeds, and 1,149 kgs of assorted vegetables from DA regional offices to distribute as assistance.
No estimates of losses were available yet.
More than 200 COVID-19 patients and health workers in flood-prone Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) in Luzon were transferred to various hotels to keep them safe from Ulysses.
These included 36 patients and 26 staff at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila to Nice Hotel Mandaluyong; 41 patients and 26 staff at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila to Nice Hotel Arayat; 41 patients and 15 staff from Philippine Arena in Sta. Maria, Bulacan to Nice Hotel McArthur; and 28 patients and 31 staff of Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City to Nice Hotel North EDSA.
TTMFs are also known as Mega Ligtas COVID Centers that are managed by the national government.
The DOH said Centers for Health Development (CHD) situated along the path of Ulysses have prepositioned medicines and medical supplies including personal protective equipment worth P26 million.
The operation centers at CHDs in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol are working 24/7 in coordinating with various health offices and concerned government agencies in their areas, the DOH also said.