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DA says aid on the way as ‘Rolly’ leaves P1.1-B agri damage
FILE: AGRICULTURE OPTIMISM. Agriculture Secretary William Dar reports on the agriculture sector’s plans and programs, during the press conference held at Agricultural Training Institute-Rural Development Education Center (ATI-RDEC) building along Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Thursday (Dec. 19, 2019). Amid challenges the Philippine agriculture encountered in 2019, Dar is confident that the twin goals of agricultural modernization and food security can finally become realities after years of struggle. (PNA photo by Ben Briones).
In a press briefing with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday, Dar said the DA released early advisories to farmers whose farmlands were on the path of “Rolly.”
“At least 242,000 hectares of rice in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan), 3 (Central Luzon), 4A (Calabarzon), and 5 (Bicol Region) and 11,000 hectares of corn in Regions 1, 2, 5, and 8 (Eastern Visayas) were provided notice of forecasts from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) of the incoming super typhoon,” he said.
The rice plantations have an equivalent production cost of more than 1 million metric tons which is worth PHP16.9 billion while the corn plantations have an equivalent production cost of 45,703 metric tons which is worth PHP579 million pesos, the Department of Agriculture (DA) official added.
Dar said they have coordinated with concerned national government agencies, local government units, and other DRRM-related offices for available resources for intervention and assistance.
They also tapped several water management related agencies for flood risk monitoring and dam water release.
“We have ongoing close monitoring [procedures] for validation of the agricultural damages and losses that may have been incurred in the sector,” he added.
Earlier, Typhoon Quinta left almost PHP2 billion agricultural damage, he added.
Assistance
DA, meanwhile, assured affected farmers and fisherfolk of recovery assistance.
This includes 133,000 bags of rice seeds and 17,545 bags of corn seeds for replanting.
Bicol, Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions, as well as Siquijor and Northern Samar, will also avail of some 2,000 kilograms of assorted vegetables.
For the livestock and poultry industry, DA will also shoulder the distribution of medicines and biologics. They will also provide small ruminants and native chickens to those who were heavily affected by the calamity.
For the fisheries sector, the agency is readying some 10 million pieces of tilapia and milkfish fingerlings as well as fishing gears and paraphernalia for distribution.
Cash aid
At present, DA’s Quick Response Fund has PHP400 million pesos for the rehabilitation of the affected areas in the various regions that were destroyed by the last two typhoons.
“We also have survival and recovery loan programs to be given at PHP25,000 per farmer who is affected, zero interest and payable in 10 years,” Dar added.
Dar also reported that the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) also has a PHP1-billion budget to pay for the losses incurred.
