DA assures aid for farmers, fishers amid Typhoon Aghon

Fishers were told to refrain from sea travel and move their fishing vessels to higher ground. (Pexels Photo)

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is closely monitoring the agriculture sector and has assured aid for farmers and fishers affected by Typhoon Aghon.

Among the interventions are prepositioning of seeds for rice and corn, as well as drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry in safe storage facilities, according to the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center’s Bulletin No. 3 issued Sunday.

DA regional field offices have been activated to conduct field monitoring for possible incurred damage, alongside close collaboration with other national and regional DRRM-related offices and local government unit counterparts.

In an earlier advisory, the DA advised farmers and fishers to minimize the effects of Aghon through early harvest.

“Harvest mature crops and utilize post-harvest facilities (and) perform early harvest and mobilize post-harvest equipment and facilities (for fishers),” the DA-DRRM said in Bulletin No. 2.

Likewise, farmers were urged to secure seed reserves, planting materials, and farm inputs; relocate animals with adequate feeds and water; transfer farm machinery, and equipment to higher ground; and clearing of drainage in irrigation and rice paddies to avoid flooding.

Fishers were told to refrain from sea travel and move their fishing vessels to higher ground.

As of 8 a.m. Monday, Aghon continued to intensify as it advanced northeastward over the coastal waters of Aurora province.

Initial infra damage tops P320-M

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that the initial cost of damage from the typhoon on roads, bridges and flood control structures has exceeded PHP320 million.

In its update as of Monday noon, the DPWH said Calabarzon recorded the highest cost of damage with PHP290.18 million, which includes PHP16 million worth of damage to flood control projects.

Other regions that logged infrastructure damage are Central Luzon with PHP19.472 million — representing PHP15 million on bridges and PHP4.472 million on roads; National Capital Region (NCR) with 8.698 million (roads) and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), PHP2 million (roads).

On the other hand, six road sections in Calabarzon have limited access due to flooding and damaged bridge deck.

These are San Juan Laiya Road, Km 144 near BSU San Juan, Batangas; Calamba-Sta Cruz-Famy Jct. Road; San Miguel Bridge along Lipa City – Alaminos Road; Calauan Nagcarlan Road; Calamba-Sta Cruz-Famy Jct. Rd. and Maspang Highway, all in Laguna.

The DPWH said all national roads and bridges in other affected regions are passable to all types of vehicles.

The agency has already activated disaster and incident management teams in affected regions, prepositioned quick response assets, installed warning signs, disseminated alternate routes for motorists, and launched debris clearing operations.