DOST-PAGASA/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported that typhoon Karding cost the country’s agriculture sector P1.97 billion.
Karding wrecked 148,091 hectares of cropland in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol Region, affecting at least 88,520 farmers and fisherfolk, according to a report from the DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center.
“Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries,” it further detailed.
The DA DRRM clarified, however, that all the figures are subject to validation.
“The increase in overall damage and losses is due to additional reports on rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and fisheries in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Bicol Region,” it then explained.
The DA said its regional field offices are continuously assessing the typhoon’s damage to the agri-fishery industry.
It then outlined assistance for affected farmers and fishers:
- P170.34 million worth of rice seeds, P23.16 million worth of corn seeds and P13.55 million worth of assorted vegetable seeds
- P 2.45 million worth of animal heads, drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry
- Fingerlings and fishing paraphernalia to affected fisherfolk from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
- Survival and recovery loan program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council with loanable amount of up to P25,000 payable in three years at zero interest
- P500 million worth of quick response fund for the rehabilitation of affected areas
- Mobile Kadiwa centers for rolling out in areas affected by Karding to stabilize prices and supply of agri-fishery commodities.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier reported that over 157,023 individuals were affected by Karding after it ravaged several provinces in Luzon on Sunday.
A total of 3,068 houses were damaged – 2,437 partially damaged, while 638 were totally destroyed, the NDRRMC added.
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