By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
After earlier preparing financial assets for typhoon-affected areas, the Department of Agriculture (D.A.) has mobilized emergency aid and farm inputs to farmers and fisherfolk recovering from the onslaught of Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan.
In a media release on Saturday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. noted significant damage brought by these successive storms in key agricultural areas, which is estimated to reach a couple of billion pesos.
“For abaca alone, the damage in Catanduanes is nearly P700 million. Coconut plantations were almost wiped out—it (situation) is not good. We’re still assessing; these are preliminary figures, but I would assume that the total impact of both storms could reach P1 billion to P2 billion.”
The Agriculture Chief, moreover, emphasized the post-typhoon assistance that will be distributed to affected food producers, which includes seeds, fertilizers, fingerlings, boats, fishing gear, and fuel aid.
“We have already deployed these assistance packages and inputs. We’re just waiting for the floods to recede and debris to be cleared so that those who can may immediately replant. Our crop insurance and credit groups are also in the field to provide funds so that farmers and fisherfolk can restart their livelihoods as soon as possible.”
The D.A. has also activated its Quick Response Fund and Survival and Recovery Loan Program to support affected farmers and fisherfolk. The SURE program offers a low-interest, five-year loan of up to P25,000, while the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P1 billion to replenish the DA’s QRF.
Despite the impact of Uwan on rice-producing provinces such as Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and La Union, Secretary Tiu Laurel said the country will still start 2026 with enough supply to cover 70 days, barring any major weather disturbances that could further delay the harvest season next year. He said rice stocks should also improve when the import ban is lifted at the end of December.
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