Damage to agriculture due to Maring nears P1 billion – DA

Authorities and some concerned citizens rescued a resident of Buguias, Benguet after a landslide triggered by Tropical Storm “Maring” covered the victim’s house on Monday. /PNP Buguias

MANILA, Philippines — After ravaging parts of northern Luzon, Severe Tropical Storm Maring caused an estimated P980 million in damage to agriculture, said the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday.

This is significantly higher compared to the reported total on Wednesday, which was at P692 million.

READ: DA: Damage to agriculture in Maring’s aftermath hits P692M

The estimate, however, will still be validated, according to the DA.

In the latest data released by the DA, the damage and losses to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries amounted to a volume production loss of 59,514 metric tons (MT), affecting 35,429 farmers and fishers and 59,514 hectares of agricultural land.

Rice crops accounted for 79.72 percent of the total losses or 45,491 MT of volume losses worth P781.3 million, which is a large percentage.

Corn is the second most affected crop, with 7,870 MT of losses worth P121.4 million.

Meanwhile, high-value crops such as vegetables, bananas and strawberries got hit with 6,153 volume loss worth P59.3 million.

Damage to livestock and poultry and fisheries remain the same at P6.2 million and P11.8 million, respectively.

Following Maring’s wrath, the DA has since then provided affected farmers and fishers with funds for the rehabilitation of the affected areas amounting to P172 million; 168,998 bags of rice seeds, 16,601 bags of corn seeds, and 1,480 kilograms of assorted vegetables for the affected regions; drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs; as well as an emergency loan assistance of up to P20,000 with zero interest and no collateral, payable in 10 years.

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