DA allots P680-M aid to typhoon-affected Bicol

AID. Agriculture Secretary William Dar (right) during his visit to Polangui, Albay on Wednesday (Nov. 4, 2020). Dar said the DA has alloted PHP680 million as initial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by Typhoon Rolly. (Photo courtesy of Alan Jacalan-DA via PNA)

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), has alloted some PHP592,432,000 as indemnification fund for 32,761 Bicol farmers, whose insured crops were damaged by Super Typhoon Rolly.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the allotment is part of the P680-million assistance to typhoon-affected farmers and fishermen in Bicol. Dar made the announcement on Wednesday during a simple program in Polangui, Albay, where he led the distribution of some PHP90-million worth of various assistance to affected farmers and fishers in Albay, one of the hard-hit provinces in Bicol, where “Rolly” wrought considerable damage.

The assistance includes seeds of hybrid rice, corn, and assorted vegetables; urea fertilizer, farm implements, and fishing gears and paraphernalia.

The PCIC-insured farmers and fishers in Bicol region will receive insurance claims, ranging from PHP10,000 to PHP15,000 for their damaged crops, farm equipment, fishing boats and gears.

Dar said that affected farmers and fishers can also avail of an emergency and rehabilitation loan worth PHP25,000 from the DA’s Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC), under its Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program.

The DA-ACPC has alloted an initial PHP100 million for Bicol under its SURE loan program. The loan is non-collateral, has zero interest and payable in 10 years.

Initial estimates of agri-fishery damage in Bicol amount to PHP2.

2 billion, said DA Bicol regional director Rodel Tornilla in his report to the DA chief during the simple program at a farmers’ multi-purpose cooperative rice processing center in Polangui, attended by about 200 farmers, local and national government officials, and DA officials and staff.

Tornilla said Albay suffered initial damage worth PHP885 million, including PHP140 million worth of irrigation systems and PHP66 million worth of fisheries.