Kristine, Leon cause P5.75B agri damage

The total agricultural damage caused by tropical cyclones Kristine and Leon has reached nearly P5.75 billion, affecting over 111,000 farmers and fisherfolk.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that the agricultural sector sustained P5,750,000,000 in damages, impacting crops such as rice, high-value crops, fisheries, and corn/cassava.

Rice sustained the largest damage at P4.25 billion, followed by high-value crops at P847 million, fisheries at P403 million, and corn and cassava at P100 million.

The Bicol Region reported the highest agricultural damage at nearly P3 billion, with Mimaropa and Cagayan Valley following with P646 million and P621 million in agricultural losses, respectively.

DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa warned that crop damage could lead to higher vegetable prices, typically rising by 10 to 15 percent during typhoons, but usually stabilizing within two weeks.

Alternative sources of vegetables from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are being tapped to stabilize prices.