Agriculture damage due to floods now at P37.68M —DA

Damage to agriculture from recent floods affecting several parts of the country now stands at P37.68 million, the Department of Agriculture said Friday.

DA's report July 15 indicates that floods from continuous rain in Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and Zamboanga del Sur in Mindanao, and the muddy flash floods in Banaue, Ifugao in northern Luzon have affected at least 1,559 farmers.

Floods have destroyed 882 metric tons of crops in 1,700 hectares of agricultural areas.

According to the DA, the floods destroyed rice, high-value crops, and livestock.

Also, the floods dealt a toll on agriculture facilities, with the total coast of damage is still subject to validation.

Through its Regional Field Offices (RFOs), the DA said it is also conducting assessment of damage and losses in the agriculture-fisheries sector.

“The DA continuously coordinates with concerned national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), and other disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM)-related offices for the impact of the phenomenon, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance,” the department said.

Meanwhile, the DA assured affected farmers and fishers of the following interventions:

1. Rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds
2. Drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry
3. Survival and Recovery (SURE) Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC)
4. Available funds from Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers
5. Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas

The department said it will continuously provide updates and information on the impact of the calamity. —LBG, GMA News