Agri damage due to Taal eruption reaches P577-M: DA

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MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday reported PHP577.59 million worth of agricultural damage in Calabarzon due to the Taal Volcano eruption.

An updated damage report issued at noon showed that the damage to agriculture caused by the volcanic eruption covered a total of 2,772 hectares and 1,967 animal heads.

The DA noted that the most affected commodities include rice, corn, coffee, cacao, banana, and high-value crops.

The DA regional office in Calabarzon is set to distribute PHP21.7 million worth of combined interventions for crops and livestock to 17 local government units including Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Talisay, Lemery, Laurel, Lipa City, San Jose, Nasugbu, Mataas na Kahoy, Balete, Cuenca, Alitagtag, Padre Garcia, Tanauan City, Malvar and Taal.

“These interventions include the provision of livestock for restocking and rice and corn seeds, high-value crops planting materials and other production inputs,” the DA said.

Some 5,000 coffee mother plants and 1,000 cacao seedlings are ready for distribution for damaged coffee and cacao areas; while seven million fingerlings for tilapia, 20,000 for ulang, 50,000 for hito, and 100,000 for bighead carp will be distributed once aquaculture operation in the Taal lake resumes.

As for loan assistance, the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) has an initial amount of PHP30 million ready to provide to Rural Bank of Mt. Carmel as funds for the implementation of Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Assistance that will benefit around 1,200 farmers or fisherfolk in Batangas.

Meanwhile, Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun called on the DA to give “outright grants with no repayment provision” instead of loans to farmers “who already lost everything” because of the Taal Volcano eruption.

Fortun also noted that the government should immediately facilitate the relocation of displaced farmers and fisherfolk at very affordable terms.

“They cannot return to the volcano island, so they have to be relocated. I believe it is feasible for the government to implement a program for housing and distribution of farmlands to farmers at zero interest and longer and low-installment payment arrangements. Perhaps a maximum of PHP1,000 a month,” he said.

He said the government should also consider providing displaced fisherfolk families immediate arrangements for housing in any of the fishing towns of Laguna de Bay.

“The lowest possible housing payments of maybe only PHP300-PHP500 per month. Also, DA, through BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) can provide free fiberglass fishing boats with equipment, nets, and supplies, and free registration of the boats with BFAR,” he added.

Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero said there should be unconditional cash grants, interest-free loans, and livelihood recovery aid to farmers cultivating coffee, pineapples, bananas, vegetables, and flowers.

“The Department of Agriculture must make sure food supply lines remain intact to avert any possible inflation impact. The DA must immediately attend to the farmers and fisherfolk in their hour of need,” Romero said.