DA reports P3.5B damage in agriculture due to Odette

Typhoon Odette, which lashed many parts of the Visayas and Mindanao last week, has left some P3.5 billion worth of damage in agriculture, the Department of Agriculture said Friday.

DA Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes said the affected regions were Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga.

“As of 5 p.m. kahapon, ang nakuha naming mga report mula sa 10 rehiyon na naapektuhan ng Bagyong Odette… umabot na sa P3.5 billion ang initial damage to the agriculture and fishery sector,” he said in a radio interview.

(As of 5 p.m. yesterday, we received reports from 10 regions that were affected by Typhoon Odette that the initial damage to agriculture and fishery due to Odette already reached to P3.5 billion)

Reyes said the DA allocated P2.6 billion to the rehabilitation, insurance, and loan for farmers and fishermen in the affected regions.

Due to the early advisory to the agriculture sector about the typhoon, Reyes said some farmers were able to save corn and rice cops.

The assistance includes:

• P1-billion worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas
• P148-million worth of rice seeds, P57.6-million worth of corn seeds, P44.6-million worth of assorted vegetables
• Initial amount of P500-million under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC)
• P1.64-million worth of fingerlings and assistance to affected fisherfolk from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
• P625,150 worth of drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs from RFO V
• P828-million from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers

As of Friday, the reported death toll due to Odette was at 326, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Meanwhile, a total of 58 people were missing while 661 were injured. —KBK, GMA News