DA allocates P795-M for ‘Quinta’-affected farmers

FILE: A man fixes the roof of his store in Bacoor City, Cavite to prevent it from being blown away by strong winds due to Typhoon Quinta on Monday (Oct. 26, 2020). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday announced that some PHP795 million quick response fund (QRF) is available to farmers whose farms were devastated by Typhoon “Quinta”.

According to the DA, the total amount of damage and losses in agri-fisheries due to the typhoon is now PHP705.87 million with 33,545 metric tons (MT) of volume loss, affecting 25,483 farmers and fisherfolk tending some 19,971 hectares of agricultural areas in Ilocos Region, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, fisheries, livestock, irrigation, and agri-facilities. These values are subject to further validation.

The DA said the increase in values is attributed to the updated reports in rice and corn from the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Zamboanga City.

The DA Regional Field Offices in “Quinta”-affected regions are thoroughly assessing and validating damage and losses in the agri-fisheries sector, and thereafter provide needed emergency assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk, it said.

Aside from the QRF, other assistance available to affected farmers are the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) and the Indemnification funds from Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

A total of 30,280 bags of rice seeds, 8,071 bags of corn seeds, and 1,792 kilograms of assorted vegetables from DA Regions 1, 4-A, 5, 6, and 9 are also up for distribution to affected farmers. (PR)