Julian initial agri damage estimated at P36.34M; Batanes bishop asks for help

WASHED OUT A temporary bridge connecting Barangay Nalasin to the town center of Solsona in Ilocos Norte is destroyed by floodwaters caused by heavy rains dumped by Supertyphoon Julian on Monday. —Alfonso Jeziel de los Reyes/contributor

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has estimated at P36.34 million the initial damage wrought by Supertyphoon Julian (international name: Krathon) on the farm sector.

In its latest bulletin published on Wednesday afternoon, the DA said the weather disturbance affected the livelihood of 1,000 farmers based on the assessment made by its regional offices in Ilocos and Cagayan Valley.

The volume of production losses was pegged at 1,516 metric tons, mostly corn, covering 577 hectares of agricultural land.

Damage to corn was placed at P35.75 million with high-value crops accounting for the remaining 1.64 percent or P595,300.

READ: Typhoon Julian re-enters PAR, no direct effect in PH except over Batanes

The DA has prepared various financial and in-kind assistance to those affected, including P143.26 million worth of agricultural inputs (rice, corn, and vegetable seeds).

Affected farmers can secure up to P25,000 in loans from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Survival and Recovery loan program, payable in three years at zero interest.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. is also prepared to provide indemnification to insured farmers who suffered losses.

Request for aid

In Batanes which was one of the provinces that bore the brunt of Julian’s effects, the typhoon was described by Bishop Danilo Ulep as “unforgettable in so far as its strength and the devastation it caused are concerned.”

The bishop’s residence, the Clergy House, and St. Dominic College in the capital town of Basco were among those that sustained damage.

“It is during this time of crisis that I exhort each one of you in order for us to join hands together and prove that in the spirit of synodality, we journey together in rebuilding our shattered lives, especially during these moments,” Ulep said.

He appealed for help for people in the province who lost their homes and possessions.

Donations may be sent to any of the following: Account Name: Prelature of Batanes; Landbank–Basco Branch; Bank Account No.: 1081-0502-08.

GCash Account: Danilo Ulep; GCash Number: 0917-578-0198 or GCash Account: Edilbert Concordia; GCash Number: 0949-465-3918.

Donors can send their proof of donation to be properly acknowledged to [email protected].

On Thursday, Julian reentered the Philippine area of responsibility, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

However, the weather disturbance has continued to weaken with the Pagasa saying it will have no direct effect over the country.