Agricultural Damage from Tropical Storm Enteng Reaches P659 Million

Severe Tropical Storm Enteng has caused widespread destruction in the Philippines, particularly affecting the agricultural sector. The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Friday that the damage caused by the storm has reached P659.01 million, with 28,788 metric tons of lost production across 22,309 hectares of agricultural land.

The storm impacted 27,598 farmers in regions including Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, and Western and Eastern Visayas. Rice production sustained the most damage, accounting for P624.06 million in losses, equivalent to 26,736 metric tons of crops destroyed. Corn, high-value crops, cassava, and livestock also suffered substantial damage.

A state of calamity was declared in Camarines Sur, one of the hardest-hit provinces.

The DA, in collaboration with local government units and disaster risk reduction offices, is conducting assessments and providing assistance to affected farmers. The department will offer P202.86 million worth of aid, including seeds, farm tools, and bio-control measures. Additional support includes zero-interest loans through the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program and insurance coverage from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

The DA will continue to monitor and provide updates on the storm’s impact.