Agaton agriculture damage breaches P3 billion

MANILA, Philippines — Damage to agriculture caused by Tropical Storm Agaton has reached P3.27 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center.

As of 10 a.m. on Monday, the DA said 73,891 farmers and fishermen in Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula, Davao, Soccskargen and Caraga had been affected by the storm.

Up to 32,689 hectares of agricultural land were damaged.

The DA said the amount of damage increased due to additional reports on affected rice, corn, high-value crops and livestock in Western and Eastern Visayas.

Rice accounted for 40.75 percent of the damage valued at P1.3 billion; fisheries, P930.5 million; corn, P60.3 million; high-value crops, P301.7 million, and livestock and poultry, P63.9 million.

Damage to irrigation and agri-facilities was recorded at P576.2 million and machines and equipment, P1.8 million.

The DA said the values are still subject to validation.

The department said up to P723.07 million worth of assistance is immediately available for affected farmers and fisherfolk.

A total of P500 million will be taken from the quick response fund for the rehabilitation of affected areas and P100 million under the Survival and Recovery or SURE assistance program of the Agriculture Credit Policy Council.

The DA said funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. are also available to indemnify affected farmers.