Visayas, Bicol record rains: Agriculture damage hits P147.3 million

MANILA, Philippines — Damage to agriculture due to record-breaking rains in Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas and Bicol early this week has reached P147.3 million.

The Department of Agriculture said initial assessment of DA offices in the three regions showed that 6,486 farmers were affected, with production loss of 4,980 metric tons.

At least 7,415 hectares of agricultural land were damaged.

“Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops and livestock. Damage was also incurred in irrigation facilities,” the DA said.

Losses in palay production were estimated at P145.7 million, with 7,373 hectares of rice fields affected.

Damage to high-value crops was estimated at P697,500; livestock and poultry, P629,400; infrastructure and irrigation facilities, P200,000; corn, P124,500, and cassava, P49,100.

The DA said rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds worth P29.3 million and native chicken worth P211,500 were distributed to affected farmers.

It said assessment of losses in the fishery sector is ongoing.

The DA said P50 million was allocated under the survival and recovery loan program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council. Affected farmers can avail themselves of P25,0000 in loans payable in three years.

The DA said the Quick Response Fund would also be tapped for the rehabilitation of affected areas.

State seismologists said the hardest-hit areas in Eastern Visayas experienced 618 millimeters of rain, which is more than a month’s record in two days.

The Northern Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the average monthly rainfall in the province is only 458 mm.

Northern Samar, which was hit by landslides and massive flooding, was placed under a state of calamity. — Miriam Desacada