Farm damage from storms exceeds P100 million – DA

Farmlands and crops in Bolo Creek, La Trinidad, Benguet were submerged in floodwaters from relentless rains brought by Tropical Depression #MaymayPH.

MANILA, Philippines — Agricultural damage caused by the recent storms hitting the country has reached more than P100 million, as continuous rains battered the country’s farmlands.

Based on initial reports, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that damage and losses from tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon have amounted to P135.5 million, damaging 4,516 hectares of farmland across five regions.

Among the areas hit were the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas, affecting 6,010 farmers and causing production losses estimated at 4,465 metric tons.

“This is a minor setback in our production plans. The fisheries sector has also been affected, but we have not quantified that yet,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told “Money Talks” on One News yesterday.

He added that the DA has lined up P106.5 million worth of support for affected farmers, such as the distribution of fertilizers along with rice, corn and vegetable seeds, through its regional field offices.

The livestock farmers are also set to receive medicines and animal feeds, Tiu Laurel said.

He added that farmers may also tap the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC)’s Survival and Recovery Loan Program, which could provide affected producers with up to P25,000.

Farmers will also be provided interest?free working capital, repayable after three years, to support their recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Insured producers will also receive indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., in coordination with the ACPC on credit assistance.

Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel noted that the recent rains will also strengthen the country’s water supply ahead of the drought conditions brought by the El Niño phenomenon.

“Irrigation management is very critical, the positive side of these rains is that our dams are almost full again. That’s something that is very welcome despite the gloomy weather,” he added.

Continuous rains over the weekend, driven by tropical cyclones and intensified by the southwest monsoon, pushed several major dams close to spilling levels, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported.

Tiu Laurel said that the DA’s El Niño response will prioritize support for areas less affected by the incoming drought, while also extending assistance to regions hardest hit by the weather event.

“We are prepared to provide cash assistance and continuously provide more fertilizers and seeds,” he noted.

A very strong El Niño episode is set to occur in the months of October to December and is expected to last until early next year, PAGASA said.

Emergency loans

At the same time, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is ready to offer up to P40,000 in emergency loans for those residing or working in areas hit by Tropical Storm Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon once their areas are officially declared under a state of calamity.

In a statement, the GSIS said qualified members and pensioners with existing emergency loans may borrow up to P40,000, with the proceeds first used to pay their outstanding emergency loan balance. The remaining amount is released to the borrower.

Those without existing emergency loans may avail themselves of up to P20,000.

Meanwhile, old-age and disability pensioners residing in declared calamity areas may also apply, provided their resulting net monthly pension after loan deduction is at least 25 percent of their basic monthly pension. — Aubrey Rose Inosante