Maring farm losses rise further to P2.26B   

AGRICULTURAL losses brought by the onslaught of severe tropical storm Maring (international name: Kompasu) increased to P2.26 billion compared to the P2.17 billion previously estimated, the Agriculture department said.   

In its latest bulletin issued on Oct. 20, the Department of Agriculture (DA)  said 105,943 metric tons (MT) of production volume were lost due to Maring.   

Affected farm commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, and fisheries. Losses were also incurred in irrigation and agricultural facilities.   

The number of affected farmers and fishers reached 79,014, while 88,062 hectares of agricultural areas were damaged.    

Of the total reported losses, the DA said rice had the highest losses at P1.5 billion. Affected farm areas totaled 76,456 hectares while lost production volume reached 87,028 MT.    

High-value crops losses amounted to P249.5 million. Lost production volume totaled 10,012 MT while affected agricultural areas reached 2,948 hectares.    

Damage to corn was valued at P149.6 million. A total of 8,903 MT of production volume were lost while 8,658 hectares of farm areas were affected.    

Reported losses to fisheries and livestock reached P122.8 million and P84.8 million, respectively.   

Damage to irrigation and agricultural facilities amounted to P140.6 million.    

Affected regions include the Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, and SOCCSKSARGEN. 

“These values are subject to validation. The DA, through its regional field offices, is conducting assessment and validation of damage and losses brought by Severe Tropical Storm Maring in the agri-fisheries sector,” the bulletin said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave