Losses, damage to agri sector due to Maring climb to P1.74B — DA

The Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet was flooded due to continuous heavy rains brought by “Maring.” Photo courtesy of Leah Lyn Bales

MANILA, Philippines — Agricultural damages and losses caused by Severe Tropical Storm Maring climbed to P1.74 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported Saturday.

Maring’s aftermath affected 56,718 farmers and fisherfolk in Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Soccsksargen, DA’s bulletin showed.

The production loss was recorded at 91,422 metric tons affecting 68,137 hectares of agricultural areas.

Among the affected commodities are rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, fisheries, irrigation, and agri-facilities.

Farmers and fisherfolk victimized by Maring will be provided with the following:

• Quick Response Fund amounting to P172 million for the rehabilitation of affected areas
• P296 million worth of available rice, corn, and assorted vegetable seeds ready for distribution to affected farmers
• Drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs
• Emergency loan assistance from Agricultural Credit Policy Council totaling to P650M wherein an amount of up to P20,000 will be provided with no interest and no collateral, payable in 10 years
• Available funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation amounting to P370 million to indemnify 44,208 affected farmers in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan)

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JPV