By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday (Jan. 18) said Typhoon Odette, which hit the country last December, has left behind a “very significant” damage in the agricultural sector.
The fisheries sector sustained P3.97 billion worth of damages, the rice subsector was left with P2.56 billion in damages, coconut industry with P1.62 billion, high-value crops with P1.5 billion, and sugarcane crops with P1.15 billion.
“[The] others kagaya ng infrastructure, corn, [and] livestock ay nasa P2.46 billion [worth of damages],” DA Sec. William Dar said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
“For these last two weeks of January, mayroon tayong inilaan na almost P3 billion na DA interventions. Ito na ‘yung binibigay sa ating mga apektadong farmers and fisherfolks in the various regions,” he said.
He said Region 6 was the most affected in terms of agricultural damages, followed by Regions 8, 7, Caraga, and Mimaropa. Regions 10, 9, and 11 were not spared from the impact of the typhoon.
Around P1 billion worth of Quick Response Fund was mobilized for rehabilitation of affected areas, and P500 million worth of different seeds were also “strategically distributed” in affected regions and provinces.
“Mayroon ding mga additional stocks, drugs, and biologics for livestock and poultry [na worth] P6.6 million,” Dar said.
Dar said the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) also allocated funds for Survival and Recovery (SURE) calamity loan assistance program.
Meanwhile, the official said the country has sufficient food supply despite the impact of Typhoon Odette, including the pork supply for the current quarter. However, there might a “tightness” in fish supply. -ag
