Agricultural damage from Typhoon Odette rises to P13.4B
The estimate of agricultural damage caused by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) has been upgraded to P13.4 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
The crop damage affected 449,316 farmers and fisherfolk, with the volume of lost production at 267,809 metric tons (MT) across 449,316 hectares of agricultural land.
Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, coconut, sugarcane, abaca, livestock, and fisheries.
The DA said it allocated P1 billion for the rehabilitation of storm-hit areas.
Regional field offices have provided P314 million worth of rice seed, P129 million worth of corn seed, and P57 million worth of assorted vegetable seed, as well as P6.6 million to help rebuild livestock and poultry numbers as well as drugs and biologics to support growers.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) allotted a total of 17,595 seed-nuts worth P1.48 million, which will be provided to MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), the Central Visayas, and Caraga regions.
The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) distributed a total of P183,000 worth of planting materials for the replanting of damaged cotton and fiber farms in the Central Visayas and Caraga.
The DA said its Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) has set aside P500 million under its Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Assistance program to make zero-interest emergency loans to 20,000 affected farmers and fisherfolk.
The Manila Water Co. (MWC) said in a statement that it provided almost P3 million worth of assistance and relief goods to typhoon-stricken areas in the Visayas and parts of Mindanao.
The water provider deployed three Mobile Treatment Plants (MTP) and six water tankers to Cebu, Bohol and Siargao to provide treated and potable drinking water to over 135,000 beneficiaries.
A total of 3,600 five-gallon bottles of water were also distributed to 27,000 individuals in Cebu, Bohol, and Southern Leyte.
“MWC is pleased to pitch in and provide aid to people who were adversely affected by typhoon Odette,” said Chief Operating Officer (COO) Melvin M. Tan. – Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson
