Typhoon Odette has severely damaged the tourism and agricultural sectors in Siargao which are both generators of livelihood in the area.
Around 70% of Pilar town is dependent on copra, but 98% of the coconut trees in the Island were devastated by the typhoon. Almost all fishing boats of residents dependent on fishing activities were also damaged.
The local government of Siargao has already made varying efforts for the locals to make ends meet after the typhoon destroyed their income sources.
The Pilaw local government said coconut leaves will be converted to cleaning materials, such as brooms, for sale.
“Mag-trial kami 100 walis tingtings per barangay, bibilin ‘yan at 50 pesos per walis tingting,” Mayor Liza Resurreccion said.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Typhoon Odette left damage worth nearly P2 billion in Visayas and Mindanao.
The department said it may take coconut trees some five years to grow amid plans to revive the copra industry, which prompted the consideration of chicken and hog raising in the island.
“I can see also that there’s a potential here. ‘Yung food security po ng probinsiya, livestock at saka poultry. Ang manok ay magandang source ng protein, may 27 days lamang to 45 days, mare-raise mo na,” DA USec. Ariel Cayanan said.
“Dahil green zone o maraming green zone dito is hog [industry], iaayos ang biosecurity at gagawin natin talagang commercial-type ang kaniyang biosecurity,” he added.
The DA also assured the immediate distribution of boats to fisherfolks.
During his visit, President Rodrigo Duterte stressed that the island and the livelihood of its residents will recover as the government works to look for more budget to assist typhoon-hit areas. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla/AG-rir
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