DA: Storm, monsoon damage to agriculture hits P135.3M

MANILA, Philippines — Damage and losses to agriculture from Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon have reached P135.3 million, affecting 6,010 farmers and 4,516 hectares of farmland across five regions, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Monday.

The latest assessment covers the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas, with production losses estimated at 4,465 metric tons. Rice, corn, high-value crops and livestock were among the affected commodities, while agricultural infrastructure, machinery and equipment also sustained damage.

The agency said the figure is not yet final, as field assessments and validation will continue as weather and ground conditions improve. The damage total could still increase as more affected farms are reached and assessed.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered DA units to expedite assistance to affected farmers, particularly through insurance and credit support.

“We need our people on the ground to move quickly so affected farmers can get the assistance they need, especially insurance claims and credit support,” he said. “The faster we process these, the faster farmers can recover and get back to production.”

The agency has lined up P106.5 million worth of agricultural inputs, including rice, corn and vegetable seeds, for distribution through its regional field offices.

Affected farmers may also avail themselves of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Survival and Recovery Loan Program, which provides loans of up to P25,000 at zero interest, payable over three years.

The DA said the loan program would provide affected producers with access to working capital as they rebuild their farms, without adding interest costs during the recovery period.

The agency also said insured farmers will receive indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), with the agency coordinating insurance and credit assistance with the PCIC and the Agricultural Credit Policy Council.

DA regional offices are also working with disaster risk reduction councils, local government units and other agencies as they continue assessing the damage and monitoring agricultural prices and commodity movement.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the combined effects of the monsoon and Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay had affected about 752,000 individuals in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

About 34,400 people were staying in 412 evacuation centers, according to the agency.

The NDRRMC also reported P1.12 billion in infrastructure damage and P3.53 million in agricultural damage, as well as P33.94 million in assistance provided to affected individuals. The agency said its reported casualties were still being validated.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the habagat could continue bringing heavy rain to parts of Luzon through Tuesday, Aug. 11.

The DA said it would conduct field validation alongside the release of assistance rather than wait for the final damage assessment before supporting affected farmers.

The agency added that it is prioritizing the delivery of seeds and other farm inputs, as well as access to financing and insurance support, as affected farmers begin rebuilding their production.

“The response is aimed at preventing weather damage from becoming a longer-running supply problem. Lost crops mean not only lower farm incomes but also less produce entering markets, potentially adding pressure to food prices if disruptions persist,” the DA said in a statement.

“For farmers, timing is critical. Seeds and financing delivered after a planting window has passed may do little to restore lost production,” it added. /mcm