Agri damage due to Julian hits P551.81M

The damage and losses on the crop sector resulting from the onslaught of Typhoon Julian have reached over half a billion pesos, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In its typhoon situation bulletin, the DA stated that the amount of production loss due to the weather disturbance was P551.81 million.

Julian destroyed 15,296 hectares of agricultural areas in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon.

“Damage and losses have been reported in rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry, and irrigation facilities,” the DA said.

The number of affected farmers stood at 29,734, while the volume of production loss reached 22,623 metric tons (MT).

“The volume of production losses from the affected agricultural areas is estimated at 21,830 MT for palay, 742 MT for corn, and 51 MT for high-value crops,” the Agriculture Department said.

“The increase in the overall damage and losses is attributed to reports in Ilocos and Cagayan Valley Regions. These values are subject to further validation,” it said.

“As field assessments and validations continue, further damage and losses are expected in the affected regions, particularly on palay and high-value crops in Cagayan Valley,” it added.

During the Saturday News Forum, DA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said that the agricultural damage brought by Julian “will not cause significant concern” as far as supply and prices are concerned.

Available for distribution are the following:

• P166.67 million worth of agricultural inputs (rice, corn, and vegetable seeds) from DA Regional Field Offices in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, and Central Luzon
• Up to P25,000 loanable amount from the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), payable in three years at zero interest
• Indemnification of insured affected farmers through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC)

Julian weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) on Friday as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). — VBL, GMA Integrated News