CROP damage caused by two storms and a tropical depression has topped P1 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture.
According to data from the DA’s disaster operations center, as of Wednesday, damage to agriculture caused by Tropical Storm Henry, Severe Tropical Storm Inday and Tropical Depression Josie was estimated at P 1.12 billion.
Rice, corn, high-value crops, fisheries and livestock were among those affected, while the main areas affected by the storms were all of Region III as well as the province of Oriental Mindoro and parts of Northern Luzon, Negros Island and Panay, the DA said in a social media post.
Damage to rice made up 83% or P925.99 million of the total, amounting to 12,111 metric tons (MT). Meanwhile, palay in washed-out seedbeds was estimated at 5,137 bags.
The damaged area planted to rice was 30,274 hectares in the provinces of Pangasinan, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Occidental Mindoro, Negros Occidental and Aklan.
Some 37,927 rice farmers were affected, with those from Central Luzon recording losses worth P569.83 million, with Tarlac accounting for P362.46 million.
Damage to corn was estimated at 93 MT, valued at P1.47 million. The damaged cornfields were largely found in Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Pampanga.
Damage to high-value crops was estimated at P18.66 million, or 594 MT in vegetables across 116 hectares.
Livestock damage was P700,000,incurred in Pangasinan and consisting of 13 head of cattle and one carabao.
Fisheries damage was mainly in the form of fish and fishing equipment, accounting for P172.46 million of the total and spanning various regions of Luzon.
“The Regional Field Offices of the Department are now conducting field validation to determine the extent of the damage and losses brought by the three weather disturbances, as well as the needs of the affected farmers and fisherfolk,” the operations center said. — Janina C. Lim

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