Farm damage from ‘Egay’ rises to P658 M

MANILA, Philippines—Farm damage due to Tropical Depression “Egay” and persistent rains has reached P658 million based on consolidated reports from Regions 3, 10, 11, 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The latest estimate was more than 81 percent higher than the previous figure of P316.12 million that was on reports as of June 21.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told reporters that the most affected provinces were North Cotabato and Maguindanao with farm damage at P313 million and P277 million, respectively.

Other affected areas in Mindanao were Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao City, South Cotabato, and Cotabato City. The provinces of Bataan and Zambales in Central Luzon were also affected.

Agriculture Undersecretary Joel Rudinas said in a separate interview that more reports may be forthcoming but the estimates may already include damage from Tropical Storm Falcon, which is currently passing east of Luzon.

“The damage will likely build up, since persistent rains started around May, and then with the coming of Egay and Falcon, the flooding in farming areas will add up,” Rudinas said.

Citing a department report, Alcala said 19,318 hectares of rice and 7,108 hectares of corn were affected. Of these, 14,545 hectares of rice and 5,012 hectares of corn were deemed to be without chance of recovering.

Lost palay was placed at 18,194 metric tons. This is only 0.52 percent of the national production forecast of 3.49 million tons in the third quarter (July – Oct.), the agriculture department report said.

Most of the affected rice area (70 percent) was in the seedbed and vegetative stage.

Lost corn was estimated at 7,820 tons. This volume comprises only 0.33 percent of the third quarter national production forecast of 2.35 million tons. Corn areas affected were also mostly in the seedling and vegetative stage (60 percent).

The value of damage to rice was biggest at P500 million, followed by corn at P137 million, high value crops (vegetables, bananas, and sugarcane) at more than P9 million. Damage to livestock and poultry exceeded P1 million.