Agricultural damage due to Kristine reaches P3.76B

To further assess the damage brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, October 25, 2024, conducted an aerial inspection in the National Capital Region, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas. (Photos courtesy of MPC Pool)

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) has left the country a running total of P3.76 billion in agricultural losses, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.

According to the DA’s latest bulletin, the most affected was rice, with a production loss of 169,830 metric tons amounting to P3.20 billion.

Corn was the second most affected crop, with 2,501 metric tons volume loss amounting to P51.71 million.

Cassava was also heavily impacted with 217 metric tons of volume loss, totaling P8.46 million.

A total of 17,874 metric tons of high-value crops were also destroyed, amounting to P408.09 million.

Kristine also destroyed 3,483 heads of livestock and poultry worth P6.90 million.

Meanwhile, 98 fisherfolk have been reported to have suffered 66 metric tons of volume loss amounting to P11.20 million.

Agricultural infrastructure was also affected, with P26 million in damages to irrigation facilities and P43.47 million in other farm structures, including rain shelters, greenhouses, animal houses, and administrative buildings.

The DA said it has so far provided P541.02 million worth of agricultural assistance, such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds, as well as medicine for livestock and poultry to its regional offices.

The department has also provided rice stocks from the National Food Authority to the Ilocos and Bicol regions.

A total of P1 billion quick response fund was released for the rehabilitation and recovery of affected areas, while P500 million was shelled out for the Survival and Recovery Loan Program, which offers loans up to P25,000 to affected individuals, payable in three years without interest.

Kadiwa stores were also deployed in affected areas.

READ: Kristine leaves over P1.2M in livestock losses in Albay