ILOILO CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured farmers affected by Tropical Storm “Agaton” of ready assistance once the inventory of damages is completed.
James Earl Ogatis, officer-in-charge of the DA regional agri-fishery information section (RAFIS), said that damage reports from local government units (LGUs) have started to come in Monday.
DA Regional Executive Director Remelyn Recoter announced that they have buffer seeds stock ready for release but they are still in the process of quantifying the farmers affected by Agaton in Western Visayas.
In addition, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) is in the process of assessing affected farmlands so their owners could be properly indemnified.
Meanwhile, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) will convene for an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the effects of tropical storm Agaton.
Director Jose Roberto R. Nuñez, RDRRMC chair, said that they will also discuss updates on the Panay River Basin Project, which is eyed to address the flooding problem in Capiz.
As of Monday, the Capiz PDRRMC reported that all of the 1,482 families that were evacuated have already returned to their respective homes. However, 10 barangays are still flooded as of Monday (January 8).
Heavy rains brought about by Agaton caused flooding in 159 barangays in the province’s 12 municipalities. Initial assessment showed that 9,736 hectares of rice lands in Capiz were affected.
Also, the flooding resulted in the declaration of the towns of Panitan and Pontevedra under a state of calamity last week. (PNA)
