The Department of Agriculture (DA) recorded a Php 1.04 billion damage in the agri-fishery sector caused by tropical storm Ambo which hit 20,652 hectares of agricultural farm areas and destroyed 62,228 metric tons of agriculture produce.
The DA said 21,655 famers and fisher folks were affected in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas.
“Ang pinaka malaki po dito ‘yong high value crops daw ay Php 602 million banana and papaya sa Quezon province, ang affected (liban doon) ay rice, livestock, and fisheries (The biggest here is on high value crops amounting to Php 602 million such as banana and papaya in Quezon province. Also affected are rice, livestock and fisheries),” DA ASec. Noel Reyes disclosed.
The agriculture Regional field office is now conducting full assessment of affected farms to immediately provide emergency assistance for farmers and fishermen.
The DA prepared a Php 700 million quick response fund for agriculture rehabilitation and to bankroll its calamity recovery efforts. It is also ready to distribute rice, corn, vegetables seeds, and other farm inputs for distressed farmers.
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation will provide insurance for farmers.
Meanwhile, the DA urged the public to report information on agri damage for immediate action. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
