The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P495.4 million in agricultural inputs, including rice, corn, and vegetable seeds, to help farmers in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B and 6–areas affected by Severe Tropical Storm Crising, whose impact was compounded by the Southwest Monsoon.
Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations and DA officer-in-charge, Roger Navarro, said that additional support, including Quick Response Funds for rehabilitation, Survival and Recovery Loans, and indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), will also be made immediately available to affected farmers and fisherfolk.
Preliminary damage estimates from the DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operations Center (DRRMOC) show that the combined impact of TS Crising and Habagat has caused P134.7 million in losses in rice, corn, cassava, high value crops, fisheries, livestock and poultry. Affected areas span 8,035 hectares while affected farmers and fisherfolk number 6,377. These numbers, however, are still under validation.
“These figures are still subject to change as we continue to assess the situation on the ground,” Navarro clarified.
The DA, in collaboration with other government agencies, is closely monitoring the crisis to mitigate disruptions in the food supply chain, particularly for highland vegetables. “We are keeping a close watch to prevent significant price increases on key agricultural commodities,” Navarro added.
Meanwhile, the National Food Authority (NFA) is ready to release rice stocks to support local government units and national disaster relief efforts.
