LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Albay said on Thursday that the continuous eruption of Mayon Volcano since January 13 had resulted in a partial damage estimate of PHP100 million in agricultural production of rice, corn and high-value crops, including vegetables and root crops covering a total of around 3,775 hectares of farmlands as of January 23 reports.
Che Rebeta, DA-Albay provincial director, said during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council media briefing here on Thursday morning that palay production incurred the biggest losses in all areas of the agricultural industry.
Affected areas are Tabaco City with PHP333,150 worth of losses, Daraga-PHP3.1 million, Camalig-PHP4.8 million, Guinobatan- PHP27.8 million and Polangui – PHP37.2 million.
“Out of the 3,516 hectares areas planted, 2,933 hectares are equivalent damaged and Albay lost a total of more than 12,000 metric tons (MTs) of rice in just 12 days due to the continuous volcanic activity,” Rebeta said.
For corn production, affected areas incurred a total of more than 291 MTs of corn losses worth about PHP7.5 million. Those affected are Daraga with PHP813,696; Guinobatan-PHP2 million and Polangui with PHP4.6 million.
For assorted vegetables and root crops, areas affected incurred total losses of more than 35,988 MTs worth about PHP19.8 million broken down as Camalig-PHP1 million; Polangui- PHP17 million and Oas, PHP799, 920.
“Crops planted in the 7-km danger zone are totally damaged due to heavy ash fall resulting in burning of crops and leaves; early harvest of some high value crops such as tomato was done by the affected farmers,” Rebeta said.
For the coconut industry, DA-Albay is still consolidating reports submitted by affected areas.
“More than 5,000 farmers were affected by the damage and since they cannot go into farming, we are collaborating with other agencies like Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Ako-Bicol Partylist (AKB) to intervene in providing alternative employment for them,” the DA chief said.
The DA said its damage report would be updated as soon as the Municipal Agriculture’s report reaches its office.
“We are now doing the same interventions designed as a massive rehabilitation-recovery effort to recoup production losses by the next cropping season,” Rebeta said.
As of Thursday morning, Mayon-affected families numbered 21,733, equivalent to 83,533 persons.
Affected families are from 56 barangays in Bacacay, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Daraga, Tabaco City, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo and Legazpi City.
As of this posting, 17,490 families or 66,442 individuals are being served inside 67 evacuation centers while 2,179 families or 9,058 persons are being aided outside.
Also, a total of PHP32,989,323.78 worth of assistance was provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Office of Civil Defense, Local Government Units, and non-government organizations to the affected families in Albay. (PNA)
Photo caption: ASH-COVERED. Tomato plants are covered by heavy ash from Mayon Volcano, resulting in burned leaves and fruits. (Connie Calipay/PNA)
