Rolly agriculture damage reaches P1.1 billion —DA

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has recorded P1.1 billion worth of damage and losses in agriculture due to the effects of Super Typhoon Rolly, Secretary William Dar said on Monday.

In a press briefing, Dar said around 20,000 farmers were affected by Rolly, which damaged rice, corn, and high-value crops.

“As of today, this morning, the initial estimated agricultural damages and losses are totaling P1.1 billion. This has been brought about by the Typhoon Rolly,” he added.

“Most of the commodities that have been badly damaged are rice, corn, high-value crops during this Typhoon Rolly, with almost 20,000 hectares. And about 20,000 farmers as well have been affected,” he added.

A video shared by Super Radyo dzBB reporter Mark Makalalad showed a rice field flooded in Barangay Mabolo, Naga City in Camarines Sur due to Rolly.

PANUORIN: Mga taniman ng palay sa Brgy. Mabolo sa Naga, pinadapa ng Bagyong Rolly I @dzbb @gmanews pic.twitter.com/sdSnYut6YB

— Mark Makalalad (@MMakalalad) November 1, 2020

According to Dar, Typhoon Quinta also caused damage amounting to P2 billion.

The DA will give assistance to the affected sector by distributing 133,326 bags of rice seeds and 17,545 bags of corn seeds that are already positioned in affected regions.

It is also preparing the assistance for affected livestock and poultry owners.

For affected fishers, Dar said the DA will distribute 10 million tilapia and milkfish fingerlings as well as fishing gear and paraphernalia.

The DA has a quick response fund of P400 million for the rehabilitation.

Aside from this, Dar said the DA is also offering a P25,000 survival and recovery loan to affected farmers. 

Rolly has weakened into a tropical storm and was traversing the West Philippine Sea on Monday morning.

It caused devastation in areas along its path, including Catanduanes where it first made landfall, and provinces such as Albay, Batangas and Quezon, among others. —KG, GMA News