DA Reports P203M in Agricultural Losses Due to Habagat and Carina

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported Thursday that agricultural losses due to the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Super Typhoon Carina have reached P203.38 million.

In its bulletin, the DA identified the affected areas as:

• Nueva Ecija
• Pampanga
• Oriental Mindoro
• Romblon
• Aklan
• Capiz
• Iloilo
• Negros Occidental
• Southern Leyte
• Zamboanga Sibugay
• Zamboanga del Sur
• Agusan del Sur
• North Cotabato

The majority of the losses are in rice, amounting to 2,299 metric tons (MT). Other affected commodities include high-value crops, corn, and livestock and poultry, with 2,323 animal losses logged.

Impact on Farmers

The adverse weather has impacted 9,198 farmers, resulting in a total production loss of 2,574 MT. However, the DA noted that these figures are still subject to further validation.

Earlier, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported P9,706,852 in agricultural damage from the recent weather disturbances.

Aid for Affected Farmers

To support the affected farmers, the DA will distribute:

• 72,174 bags of rice seeds
• 39,546 bags of corn seeds
• 59,600 pouches and 1,966 kilograms of vegetable seeds

Additionally, the agency will offer assistance through the Survival and Recovery Loan Program, Quick Response Fund, and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation’s funds.

While Carina exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday morning, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Batanes.