PILI, Camarines Sur, Philippines — Typhoon “Pepeng” destroyed some P75-million worth of crops in four provinces in Bicol with rice production having the heaviest toll, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Marilyn V. Sta. Catalina, DA Bicol director for operations and regulatory, reported Monday that some P65.7-million worth of rice in various stages of growth in some 1,968 ha were greatly affected by flooding in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

Sta. Catalina said the amount of losses was based on field reports as of Oct. 3, even as she said that the reported losses comprised only 1.5 percent of the total production target of the region.

She added that losses in fruits and assorted vegetables were estimated to reach P9.8 million while in corn, the losses were estimated at P189,935.

“Camarines Sur province had the heaviest losses,” Sta. Catalina said.

She said the agricultural losses were expected to increase with the coming in of reports from other municipalities and provinces in Bicol.

DA Regional Executive Director Jose V. Dayao said that as soon as the final damage report had been completed the regional office would submit to the DA central office the necessary recommendations and rehabilitation plan.

“As in the previous calamities, assistance to farmers usually includes provision of seed subsidy and or inputs,” Dayao said.

He urged affected farmers to plant early maturing varieties and practice direct seeding to recoup from the losses wrought by Pepeng.

The DA has also mobilized its agribusiness and marketing personnel to monitor prices of agricultural commodities so that measures could be taken to cushion the impact of probable price increases and prevent traders from taking advantage of the situation by jacking up prices.