ROAD CLEARING | Emergency responders remove debris from a landslide that covered both lanes in Inoyonan–Itagon Road in Barangay Inoyonan in Bula town in Camarines Sur. (Photo from the Bula MDRRMO)
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Amang continues to wreak havoc on the country’s farm sector with the estimated damage surging to P50.84 million.
In its latest report, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said 1,569 farmers were affected as of Friday.
The weather disturbance damaged 1,330 hectares (ha) of agricultural areas in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, and Sorsogon. It pegged the volume of production loss at 1,074 metric tons (MT).
“Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, and livestock. Damage has also been incurred in agricultural infrastructures (irrigation),” it added.
Infrastructure
Losses in agricultural infrastructure were projected at P23.5 million covering irrigation systems. Corn followed with P14.99 million spanning 233 ha of land and 410 MT of produce.
The rice sector incurred P8.07 million worth of damage, affecting 1,017 ha of land and 436 MT of rice. Livestock and poultry likewise took a hit involving P126,000 dairy cattle at Sorsogon Dairy Production and Technology Center.
The DA said it was distributing rice, corn, and assorted vegetable seeds to farmers, as well as drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said it was ready to provide fingerlings and assistance to affected fisherfolk.
Domestic producers can get funding through the Survival and Recovery Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council with a loanable amount of up to P25,000 payable in three years at zero interest and a quick response fund for rehabilitating affected areas.