Agri damage from Kristine climbs to P1.69B

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine's agricultural damage has reached P1.69 billion, government data showed Saturday.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, the Department of Agriculture said the affected areas are the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western and Eastern Visayas, and SOCCSKSARGEN.

Kristine affected 42,346 farmers and 37,590 hectares of agricultural areas, with a volume of production loss of 108,266 metric tons (MT).

The DA said rice accounted for most of the agricultural loss, which was 104,198 MT.

Damage and losses have also been reported in corn, cassava, high-value crops, livestock and poultry, and agricultural facilities.

The DA will conduct a field evaluation once the weather and other situations permit.

The DA said P531.72 million worth of agricultural inputs are available for distribution to affected farmers.

The agency added that they would also help the farmers through the Quick Response Fund, Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program, and Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

Kristine exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday, but the state weather bureau PAGASA said it may loop over the West Philippine Sea on Sunday.  —VBL, GMA Integrated News