DA: Flood control can reduce annual crop losses

The Department of Agriculture (DA) spokesman Arnel de Mesa stated that effective flood control projects could significantly reduce annual agricultural damage caused by tropical cyclones and habagat.

During a press briefing on Monday, August 18, De Mesa noted that the agriculture sector incurs an average loss of up to 600,000 metric tons in palay production annually due to heavy rains and flooding.

De Mesa emphasized that if flood control systems are effective and quick to mitigate flooding, damage to crops can be minimized, stressing the importance of addressing irregularities in certain projects flagged by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

He also highlighted that besides crop damage, flooding negatively impacts livestock, irrigation facilities, and other agricultural infrastructure.

De Mesa called for continuous budget support to improve irrigation and drainage systems managed by DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), suggesting a portion of PHP100 billion could provide water to thousands of hectares while also addressing flooding issues.

Recent weather disturbances, such as those in July that caused P3.53 billion worth of damage, have particularly affected agricultural producing areas like Region 2 and Central Luzon.