Kristine causes PHP3.4B agri damage, NFA distributes rice

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine has caused PHP3.4 billion in agricultural damage across several regions in the Philippines, including an initial PHP622 million worth of damage to infrastructure and over PHP241 million worth of damage to agriculture in Pangasinan.

Rice was the hardest-hit commodity, with approximately 164,510 metric tons damaged nationwide, resulting in over PHP3.1 billion in losses.

The National Food Authority (NFA) has distributed an initial 2,664 bags of government rice to local governments in Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, and Camarines Norte as part of relief efforts.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., along with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel and other officials, visited the affected areas on Saturday, October 26, delivering additional four truckloads of NFA rice to Camarines Sur for distribution to affected families.

The Department of Agriculture also announced plans to provide PHP541.02 million worth of agricultural inputs and deploy Kadiwa stores in affected communities as part of rehabilitation efforts.