Final Tally: Agricultural Damage from Carina and Habagat Reaches P4.72 Billion

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported that the combined effects of Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) in July have caused P4.72 billion in damages and losses to the Philippines’ agricultural sector. This final assessment, issued on August 21, highlights the widespread devastation across 12 regions, affecting 82,824 hectares of farmlands and fisheries.

According to the DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center, the violent weather events resulted in a total production loss of 68,690 metric tons (MT) across crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries. The livelihoods of 137,999 farmers and fisherfolk were severely impacted by the heavy rains and flooding.

Rice was the most affected commodity, with damages totaling P1.08 billion, equating to a loss of 18,629 MT of rice. Fisheries suffered losses amounting to P783.96 million, impacting 8,395 fisherfolk, while high-value crops saw P691.62 million in damages, resulting in the destruction of 19,969 MT of crops. Corn was also significantly affected, with losses amounting to P469.45 million or 18,170 MT of damaged produce.

The livestock and poultry sub-sector incurred losses of P38.26 million, affecting 25,855 heads of various animals, including chickens, swine, cattle, and other livestock. Additionally, cassava sustained P12 million in damages with 472 MT destroyed.

Damage to agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation facilities, was tallied at P1.64 billion, while damages to agricultural machinery and infrastructure were reported at P4.44 million and P4.01 million, respectively.

The DA, in collaboration with regional field offices, local government units, and disaster risk reduction and management offices, has been actively engaged in validating and assessing the impact of these weather events. The department is also preparing to deploy various forms of assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk, including:

• 64,404 bags of rice and 45,307 bags of corn seeds worth P301.72 million
• 1,300 kg, 63,124 packs, and 370 cans of vegetable seeds worth P17.63 million
• P6.31 million worth of bio-control measures
• Fingerlings, fishing gear, and paraphernalia from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
• Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) with loanable amounts up to P25,000, payable in three years at zero interest
• Available funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers

The DA’s final bulletin concludes its assessment and highlights the ongoing efforts to provide necessary support and interventions to restore the agriculture and fisheries sectors in the affected regions.