Manila: Agricultural damage across seven regions in the country reached PHP1.03 billion following severe weather disruptions caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon, or 'habagat,' and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay. This weather destruction left at least 30,073 farmers and fishers suffering from heavy livelihood losses in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas.
According to Philippines News Agency, the damage estimate reflects 25,280 metric tons of production loss across 25,662 hectares of farmland, as detailed in the Department of Agriculture-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center Bulletin No. 7. The rice sector was the hardest hit, suffering 16,105 metric tons (MT) in losses worth PHP589.44 million. High-value crops recorded 7,772 MT in losses valued at PHP313.07 million, including damage to upland and lowland vegetables, spices, legumes, and various fruits.
Losses in corn reached PHP46.24 million; fisheries, PHP9.26 million; livestock, PHP6.91 million across 6,036 heads of various animals; and cassava, PHP954,270. Additional losses include PHP47.86 million in irrigation facilities, PHP15.21 million in damaged farm structures, and PHP80,000 in damaged machinery and equipment.
In a statement, the DA-DRRM Operations Center assured that necessary measures were taken to mitigate the impact of inclement weather on both food producers and consumers. The DA Regional Field Office (RFO) CAR has established pop-up stores at SM Baguio to provide affected producers with additional market outlets and facilitate the sale of their agricultural products. Other regional field offices have also put in place measures to sustain farmers' access to market linkages and movements to ensure fair prices.
Moreover, DA RFO II (Cagayan Valley) is closely monitoring the operations and available market opportunities at the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT) to explore possible assistance and market linkage support for producers from CAR who may be affected by the current situation. The agency has also deployed Kadiwa trucks to support affected farmers in the transport of agricultural commodities in affected regions.
For consumers, the DA-DRRM cited close monitoring of market prices and flows to prevent profiteering. Available interventions include PHP177.67 million worth of agricultural inputs for rice, corn, and vegetables. Zero-interest loans of up to PHP25,000 per farmer are likewise accessible under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan, which is payable in three years. About PHP35.67 million worth of insurance payouts for 5,005 insured farmers and fishers are also available through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, as well as the issuance of 1,007 bags of rice stocks from the National Food Authority, among others.
