DA: Agri damage caused by Agaton rises to P639.7M

The estimated cost of damage to the agriculture sector after Tropical Depression Agaton ravaged parts of the Visayas and Mindanao has grown to more than P600 million as of Thursday morning, official data showed.

In its typhoon bulletin as of 8 a.m. April 14, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the estimated cost of damage stood at P639.7 million, covering 16,251 hectares of agricultural areas in Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen and Caraga.

The latest figure is more than double the P265.3 million worth of damage and losses recorded as of the morning of April 12.

Agaton has so far affected 10,453 farmers, with a volume of production loss of 36,846 metric tons (MT). 

Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, and livestock, the DA said.

“These values are subject to validation. Additional damage and losses are expected in areas affected by Agaton,” it added.

The DA said it was conducting assessment of damage and losses brought by Agaton in the agri-fisheries sector through its regional field offices.

It is also continuously coordinating with concerned national government agencies, local government units and other disaster risk reduction and management-related offices for the impact of the tropical depression, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance.

The agency said that the following assistance will be provided to the affected farmers and fishers:

• rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds
• drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry
• Survival and Recovery (SURE) Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC)
• available funds from Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers
• Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas

“The DA-DRRM Operations Center will continuously provide updates regarding Agaton,” the DA said. —VBL, GMA News