DA pegs Pangasinan agri loss due to typhoons at over P440 million

LAID TO WASTE At the start of the month, Pangasinan farmers prepare land for planting only to see this and other farms go under water weeks later because of flooding.—WILLIE LOMIBAO

Damage to agriculture due to consecutive typhoons in Pangasinan was placed at over P440 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Friday.

The rice sector suffered the largest loss at P420 million, with the damaged area estimated at over 29,000 hectare of rice fields, a DA statement said.

The vegetable sector also sustained heavy damage with a loss of P24.3 million. Livestock sustained P3.61 million in damages, while the fisheries sector suffered P230,000 in damages, the statement added.

Following the reported losses, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the DA will allot P180 million for the rehabilitation of the province.

“I admit na maaring di kayang sagutin lahat ng gobyerno ang pagsaaayos pero susubukan naming kahit paano na maibsan ang mga nasira ng bagyo,” Piñol said

(I admit that the government cannot shoulder the whole rehabilitation but we will try somehow to ease the effects of the typhoons.)

He said affected farmers and fisher folks will receive P5,000 to P25,000 each in financial assistance. Pangasinan meanwhile will get P50 million sourced from the Production Loan Easy Access for Ilocos and Pangasinan.

Piñol also awarded the affected farmers 32,000 bags of hybrid seeds and 100 bags of corn seeds. Meanwhile, 50 fishing boats will be given to fisher folks, the DA said in its statement.

Despite the typhoon damage, Piñol is confident that the expected bumper harvest for rice can still be achieved this year.

“We are positive that farmers will recover, as reports indicate that only .49 percent from our total target have been affected by the typhoons,” he said.  /muf