The Department of Agriculture (DA) has activated its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) offices to operate continuously in response to the impacts of the enhanced southwest monsoon and Typhoon Carina on the agriculture sector.
According to Philippines News Agency, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa during the 'Usapang Agrikultura' program on Radyo Pilipinas, regional offices are fully prepared to address any concerns from the agricultural community, ensuring that all assistance measures are promptly and effectively administered. Farmers are encouraged to directly contact DA regional offices or municipal agriculturists for support.
The assistance package available to affected farmers includes 72,174 bags of rice seeds, 39,546 bags of corn seeds, and 59,600 pouches plus 1,966 kg of vegetable seeds. Financial aid is also accessible through the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan program offered by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, featuring a PHP25,000 loan with zero interest, payable over three years. Additionally, resources have been allocated from the quick response fund and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.
As per DA-DRRM Bulletin No. 9, around 11,003 farmers have been impacted, with agricultural losses estimated at PHP251.21 million. The rice sector has experienced the most significant damage, valued at PHP228.23 million or 2,912 metric tons (MT), followed by the corn sector with losses of 297 MT worth PHP14.08 million, high-value crops at 228 MT valued at PHP8.75 million, and livestock losses amounting to PHP143,300.
De Mesa noted that while the damage is considerable, it is less severe compared to previous years. There is also concern about the potential impact of the upcoming La Niña event, which could exacerbate conditions for the agricultural sector.