Agricultural damage due to Kristine hits P143 million, says DA

MANILA, Philippines – Damages to the country’s agricultural sector reached P143.47 million due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami), according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday afternoon.

DA said the storm affected 4,798 farmers and 3,358 hectares of agricultural areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western and Eastern Visayas, and Soccsksargen, resulting in a production loss of 8,600 metric tons (MT).

The department said production losses were estimated at 8,265 MT for palay (unhusked rice), 187 MT for high-value crops, 102 MT for corn, and 46 MT for cassava.

In response, DA said it provided P531.72 million worth of agricultural input from its field offices in the affected regions and P1 billion through the Quick Response Fund to aid recovery in the impacted areas.

The Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Survival and Recovery Loan Program also received P500 million from the DA for farmers to loan up to P25,000, payable in three years at zero interest.

DA added that it was sending bags of rice stocks from the National Food Authority to be distributed in relief efforts by local government units, the Department of Social Work and Development, and other agencies.

Indemnification of insured affected farmers through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and the deployment of Kadiwa stores were also part of the DA’s interventions for areas hit by Kristine.

On Friday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration reported that Kristine left the country’s area of responsibility at 2 p.m.

READ: NDRRMC: Kristine distressed 2.6 million, reportedly killed 13

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that over 2.6 million people have been affected nationwide, with 13 confirmed deaths as of October 25.