DA allocates PHP1.2B to aid farmers hit by storms

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated nearly PHP1.2 billion to assist farmers affected by Tropical Storms Crising and Dante, Typhoon Emong, and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), with total agricultural losses now exceeding PHP1 billion.

Rice accounts for 66% or P300 million of the damage across 15,868 hectares of cropland, while high-value crops account for 26%, corn for 6.85%, and livestock and poultry for 1.66%. Fisheries have incurred minimal losses.

The Mimaropa region has suffered the most significant damage at P121 million, primarily in Occidental Mindoro (P65 million) and Palawan (P56 million), affecting over 14,700 farmers and fisherfolk with a volume loss of 10,595 metric tons.

Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) President Jovy Bernabe announced that the agency will conduct rapid assessments to expedite insurance claim processing for covered farmers, with PHP268 million allocated for indemnification.

The DA has distributed P596.5 million worth of agricultural inputs like rice, corn, and vegetable seeds; seedlings; pesticides; forage seeds; free-range chickens; and fingerlings, along with 2,100 bags of rice from the National Food Authority to Palawan, Polangui, and Albay.

Further damage and losses are expected in affected regions as assessment and validation is ongoing. The DA has allocated PHP653 million worth of agricultural inputs and 43,940 bags of rice stocks for distribution.