Karding’s damage to agri rises further to P2.02 billion

The running tally of damage and losses to the agriculture sector brought by the onslaught of Typhoon Karding has swelled to over P2 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Thursday.

At the public briefing, Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said the total value of production loss due to the calamity amounted to P2.02 billion as of 8 a.m. on September 29.

This is higher than the P1.97 billion damage and losses reported as of Wednesday morning.

The increase in overall damage and losses is due to additional reports on rice, corn, livestock and poultry, and fisheries in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Bicol Region and Western Visayas, according to the DA.

Panganiban said Karding affected some 91,944 farmers and fisherfolk.

In a separate bulletin, the DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (DRRM) reported that the typhoon ravaged a total of 150,693 hectares of farm lands in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol Region and Western Visayas with a total volume of production loss at 117,663 metric tons (MT).

Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries.

The DA official, meanwhile, said rice is the most affected crop with total value of production loss at P1.66 billion, followed by high-value crops at P271.6 million.

Corn is the third most damaged crop with total loss at P43.6 million. Fisheries came in fourth with P43 million worth of losses while livestock and poultry incurred a total loss of P7.9 million.

The DA said it continuously coordinates with concerned national government agencies, local government units, and other DRRM-related offices for the impact of Karding, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance.

The agency said following assistance are available for distribution to affected farmers and fishers:

• P170.34 million worth of rice seeds, P23.16 million worth of corn seeds and P13.55 million worth of assorted vegetable seeds
• P2.45 million worth of animal heads, drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry
• Fingerlings and fishing paraphernalia to affected fisherfolk from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
• Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) with loanable amount of up to P25,000 payable in three years at zero interest
• P500 million worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas
• Mobile KADIWA centers for rolling out in areas affected by Karding to stabilize prices and supply of agri-fishery commodities

Likewise, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday said P29.6 million worth of assistance has already been distributed so far to the victims of Typhoon Karding.

Karding left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday, affecting several areas in Luzon. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the number of reported fatalities has risen to 11. — RSJ, GMA News