THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said its crop damage estimate for tropical depression Usman was P816.17 million in regions south and east of Metro Manila, as far south as the Eastern Visayas.
The estimate covers the regions of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol and Eastern Visayas, as of 8 p.m. of Jan. 2.
The DA said the damage amounts to 18,634 metric tons (MT) of agricultural product, affecting 40,075 hectares of farms and fisheries, affecting 36,902 farmers and fishermen.
Rice accounted for 90% of the total, worth P732.48 million for lost output of 15,633 MT. Usman affected 33,783 hectares of rice land and 30,422 farmers.
Damage to high-value crops was put at P41.60 million on lost volume of 2,715 MT, affecting 555 hectares and 1,770 farmers.
Livestock damage was P13.12 million, or 7,495 animals and affecting 44 farmers.
Fisheries damage was P871,050, affecting 90 fisherfolk growing tilapia, crab, shrimp, milkfish, and prawns.
Damage to agriculture facilities, specifically small-scale irrigation projects (SSIPs) was about half a million pesos. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio
