Carina, monsoon agricultural damage hits P1.21 billion

MANILA, Philippines — The amount of damage caused by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon to the agriculure sector has reached P1.21 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Data from the DA’s operations center showed that among the most affected regions are the Cordilleras, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol, Western and Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) and Caraga.

The bad weather destroyed rice, corn, high-value crops and livestock as well as irrigation facilities and aquaculture equipment.

The DA said that rice accounted for the majority of damage with 52 percent or P635.17 million, covering 39,785 hectares of farms.

The fishery sector incurred losses amounting to P361 million or 30 percent of the total amount of damage.

Corn and high-value crops incurred losses amounting to P114 million and 89 million, respectively.

The livestock sector logged P10.4 million worth of damage including P1.6 million worth of infrastructure, machinery and equipment.

The DA said at least P326.79 million worth of rice and corn seeds as well as biocontrol equipment would be distributed to affected farmers.

It said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources would distribute fingerlings, fishing gear and paraphernalia to fishermen displaced by the bad weather.

Farmers may avail themselves of financial assistance being offered under the survival and recovery loan program of the agricultural credit policy council.

Up to P1 billion from the quick response fund is available for the rehabilitation of affected areas.

The DA said the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. is ready to indemnify the farmers.

The combined strength of Carina and the monsoon as well as Tropical Depression Butchoy increased the number of affected people to 5.2 million yesterday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.