₱3-B aid earmarked for farmers, fishers hit by successive storms

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured farmers and fishers reeling from the impact of Tropical Depression Mirasol, Super Typhoon Nando (international name: Ragasa), and Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name: Bualoi) that more than ₱3 billion in assistance is ready to roll out.

DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the agency has prepositioned interventions nationwide, including agricultural inputs, veterinary drugs, and biologics.

“These are worth more than ₱3 billion already, up to Typhoon Opong,” de Mesa said on Friday.

The aid package includes 142,219 bags of palay seeds, 91,485 bags of corn seeds, 40,518 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds, and over 1.19 million fingerlings of tilapia, bangus, and catfish. 

The National Food Authority has also readied 2.4 million bags of rice for local government units and relief operations.

Farmers may also access loan and indemnification programs, while the DA’s quick response fund will be tapped for the rehabilitation of damaged lands.

Latest data from the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center placed agricultural losses from Mirasol and Nando at ₱964.45 million, affecting 32,738 farmers and fishers and wiping out 82,557 metric tons of produce across 32,384 hectares in six regions.

Cagayan Valley bore the brunt, with Cagayan province alone suffering ₱653 million in damages. Isabela followed with ₱134 million, while Ilocos Norte, Batangas, and Pangasinan also posted significant losses.

The rice sector was hit hardest, accounting for ₱687.92 million in damages, followed by corn at ₱190.32 million, and high-value crops at ₱81.71 million. 

Damage to livestock, infrastructure, irrigation, and farm equipment was comparatively minimal.