Damage to farms from storms hit P5.16-B

FARM damage caused by typhoons “Tino” and “Uwan” hit P5.16 billion affecting 135,616 farmers who lost over 200,000 metric tons of crops planted in 117,458 hectares.

The agriculture department said further damage and losses are expected in affected regions as assessment and validation are yet ongoing.

The bulk of damage was from Uwan, which accounted for 76 percent of losses or P4.19 billion for 164,274 MT, covering 99,572 hectares and affecting 85,689 farmers.

High-value crops bore the brunt of the damage at 80,466 MT, while fiber crops trailed behind at 79,493 MT; followed by rice at 50,191 MT; fisheries at 20,802 MT; corn at 4,609 MT, and cassava at 733 MT.

The value of losses was equivalent to P2.66 billion for HVC, P732.48 million for rice, and P428.37 million for fiber crops.

For corn, the damage was estimated at P179.05 million for corn; fisheries at P83.66 million; cassava for P10.82 million and P10.15 million for livestock and poultry.

Losses for infrastructures, irrigation facilities, and machinery and equipment were valued at P86.02 million, P1.87 million, and P195,000, respectively.

The DA has issued several interventions for farmers and fisherfolk affected by typhoon Uwan including P414.51 million of farm inputs for rice, corn, and HVC; P1.24 million worth of animal feeds and supplements for livestock and poultry; and P771,620 worth of bangus and tilapia fingerlings.

It also offered the Survival and Recovery loan program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), its attached agency, to lend up to P25,000 to those affected. These loans come with a three-year repayment term and at no interest.

The DA, through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. would also assist insured farmers and fisherfolk, which record show has paid a total of P2.65 billion in insurance claims to 439,087 farmers and fisherfolk from January to October.

The ACPC said it had released, through its SURE loan program, P139.7 million to 5,506 borrowers from January to September.