Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA), in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), has initiated a rapid rehabilitation program for the extensive damage to abaca farms in the Bicol Region following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong). The typhoon has severely impacted 55,198 hectares of abaca farms, significantly affecting the livelihood of many farmers in the area.
According to Philippines News Agency, the typhoon resulted in the loss of approximately 7,492.90 metric tons of fiber, with an estimated value exceeding PHP38 million. This has been a significant setback for farmers who were already recovering from the impacts of last year’s Typhoons Pepito and Kristine. A recent Crop Damage Report from the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) detailed the extent of the damage: 1,402 hectares were slightly damaged, 18,097 hectares were moderately damaged, and a substantial 35,699 hectares were heavily damaged.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized Bicol’s crucial role in the abaca industry, noting that the region is a powerhouse of abaca fiber, also known as Manila hemp. He highlighted that Bicol contributes nearly a third of the national abaca production, with Catanduanes accounting for at least 82 percent of the country’s output. He stressed the importance of supporting abaca farmers to help them recover and rebuild, as their resilience is vital to rural economies.
In response to the crisis, the DA-PhilFIDA and DOLE are implementing a labor-intensive rehabilitation initiative through the DOLE Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers cash-for-work program. This initiative will mobilize 23,619 farmers to perform necessary tasks such as clearing debris, trimming damaged stalks, rehabilitating surviving plants, and replanting uprooted or severely affected abaca.
The replanting strategy is tailored to the level of damage, with the density of replanting varying accordingly: 400 suckers per hectare in severely hit farms, 200 in moderately affected areas, and 100 in slightly damaged zones. The DA also emphasized the inclusion of farmer protection measures, which involve providing beneficiaries with protective clothing and a one-year personal accident insurance package from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) before commencing fieldwork.
PhilFIDA technicians will be responsible for conducting field validation to assess the damaged sites, verify losses, and document conditions, which are prerequisites for DOLE’s release of cash-for-work payments. Following the replanting efforts, joint inspection teams consisting of PhilFIDA staff, local government unit agriculture offices, and barangay agriculture committees will evaluate the survival rates of the replanted suckers prior to issuing final incentives.
Farmers will receive cash incentives based on the condition of their farms, with PHP3,000 per hectare allocated for slightly damaged farms, PHP5,000 for moderately affected areas, and PHP10,000 for heavily damaged lands. The government’s objective is to restore at least 4,505.81 hectares of abaca farms within a three-month timeframe, aiming to stabilize the industry and assist thousands of Bicolano families in rebuilding their livelihoods.
