DA estimates initial damages to agri sector due to ‘Ruby’ at Php498-M

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (center), flanked by DA Undersecretary Atty. Emerson Palad (left); and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Atty. Asis G. Perez, discuss updates on the effects of Typhoon “Ruby” (Hagupit) to the agriculture and fishery sectors on Monday (December 08, 2014) during a press conference at the DA office in Diliman, Quezon City. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Monday that based on their initial estimates, the agriculture sector suffered about Php498.27 million worth of damages in Regions V and VIII due to the onslaught of typhoon “Ruby.”

DA Assistant Secretary Edilberto de Luna said that as of 5 p.m. Sunday, field reports from the two regions have placed damages in palay, corn and high value crops at 25,171 metric tons with a total value of Php385.52 million.

Rice production bore the most damage at Php312.87 million while damage to corn was pegged at Php65.6 million.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Asis Perez said that initial damage estimate to the fisheries sector from the two regions was pegged at Php112.75 million, mostly on seaweed farming.

Perez said that losses in the fisheries sector could not yet be definitely ascertained at this time as seas in the affected areas have yet to calm down.