The Southwest Monsoon or Habagat enhanced by Super Typhoon Carina has left P203.38 million worth of agricultural losses, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported Thursday.
In its bulletin, DA said the affected areas are Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Agusan del Sur, and North Cotabato.
The DA said majority of the agricultural loss is rice, which was placed at 2,299 metric tons (MT).
Other agricultural commodities affected include high value crops, corn, and livestock and poultry.
The DA also logged 2,323 animal losses.
Meanwhile, the agricultural losses incurred from Carina-enhanced Habgat affected 9,198 farmers, with a volume of production loss at 2,574 MT.
The DA, however, noted that the figures are subject to further validation.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier reported that the country sustained P9,706,852 worth of agricultural damage from the recent weather disturbance.
The DA said it will aid the farmers by distributing 72,174 bags of rice seeds, 39,546 bags of corn seeds, 59,600 pouches, and 1,966 kilograms of vegetable seeds.
The agency added that they will also help the farmers through the Survival and Recovery Loan Program, Quick Response Fund, and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation's funds.
Carina exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday morning but Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over Batanes.
Source - https://www.gmanetwork.com
