AGRICULTURAL losses caused by the combined effects of tropical storms Crising, Dante, and Emong—along with the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat)—have reached P1.12 billion, with more than half of the damage sustained by rice farms, according to preliminary estimates from the Department of Agriculture (DA) as of Friday.
In a report to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro said the storms and monsoon rains affected 45,408 farmers and fisherfolk and damaged 43,741 hectares of farmland, mostly rice fields.
Of the 41,189 hectares of rice lands impacted, 32,445 hectares were partially damaged with recovery potential, while 8,744 hectares were totally lost. Estimated rice production losses stand at 19,819 metric tons—roughly a third of the country’s daily consumption—valued at P664.4 million.
High-value crops sustained damage across 918 hectares, resulting in losses of 4,509 metric tons worth P162.2 million. Corn farms spanning 1,613 hectares lost P55.7 million in potential harvest. Fisheries losses were pegged at P202.4 million, affecting 1,436 fisherfolk.
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to accelerate recovery, Navarro said the DA will immediately distribute P653 million worth of seeds, livestock, fingerlings, and other inputs. Meanwhile, the National Food Authority has released 43,136 bags of rice to Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, and Metro Manila, with Region 3 releasing the bulk via the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
To fast-track rehabilitation, the DA will draw from its Quick Response Fund, while the Agricultural Credit Policy Council has allocated P400 million in zero-interest loans under its Survival and Recovery (SURE) program.
“These numbers may still change as ground validation continues,” Navarro said. “This is an ongoing disaster, with two storms just starting to affect the country, at least one more forming at sea, and the impact of Habagat could still worsen.”
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. estimates initial indemnification for 45,980 insured farmers at P268 million.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered all DA agencies to work “double time” to help affected communities. “More than just providing assistance, our goal is to help farmers and fisherfolk quickly return to normal,” he said.
