DA earmarks P495.4M in farm inputs for storm-hit farmers
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it has allocated nearly half-a-billion pesos in agricultural inputs such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds to help farmers in regions affected by Tropical Storm Crising which enhanced the Southwest Monsoon or 'Habagat.'
In a statement, the DA said it earmarked P495.4 million in farm inputs for farmers in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B and VI.
Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations and officer-in-charge Roger Navarro said that additional support, including Quick Response Funds for rehabilitation, Survival and Recovery Loans, and indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), 'will also be made immediately available to affected farmers and fisherfolk.'
Preliminary damage estimates from the DA's Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operations Center (DRRMOC) show that the combined impact of Crising and Habagat has caused P134.7 million in losses in rice, corn, cassava, high value crops, fisheries, livestock and poultry.
Affected areas span 8,035 hectares while affected farmers and fisherfolk number 6,377.
These numbers, however, are still under validation, according to the DA.
'These figures are still subject to change as we continue to assess the situation on the ground,' said Navarro.
The DA said it is in collaboration with other government agencies to closely monitor the crisis situation to mitigate disruptions in the food supply chain, particularly for highland vegetables.
'We are keeping a close watch to prevent significant price increases on key agricultural commodities,' said Navarro.
Meanwhile, the National Food Authority (NFA) is ready to release rice stocks to support local government units and national disaster relief efforts, according to the DA. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
7 hours ago
- GMA Network
Habagat, localized thunderstorms to bring clouds, rains
The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) will affect Extreme Northern Luzon on Monday, while localized thunderstorms will affect Metro Manila and the rest of the country, PAGASA said in its weather forecast. Batanes and Babuyan Islands may expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the monsoon. During severe thunderstorms, flash floods or landslides may possibly result. Metro Manila and the rest of the country meanwhile will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms. Flash floods or landslides may possibly occur during severe thunderstorms. Coastal waters will be slight to moderate throughout the country. Sunrise was at 5:40 a.m. while sunset will be at 6:24 p.m. PAGASA is also monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. As of 2 a.m., LPA 8a was estimated to be located at 1,455 km east of Eastern Visayas. The LPA "has a 'LOW' chance of development into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours," PAGASA said. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16 hours ago
- GMA Network
DOTr: Road, drainage works to begin this week to prevent NLEX flooding repeat
Netizens capture images of flooding that snarled traffic on NLEX for hours in late July amid rains from the Habagat and recent storms. File photo National government agencies and local units, along with NLEX Corp., are set to start working this week to address drainage and improve waterways in the Valenzuela and Bulacan areas in a bid prevent a repeat of the recent floods that hit the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the DOTr said Sunday. According to Transportation Secretary Vivencio 'Vince' Dizon, officials of the Departments of Transportation (DOTr), and the Public Works and Highways (DPWH), along with representatives of NLEX Corp., Valenzuela City and Meycauayan, Bulacan met on Saturday, August 2, to discuss the action plan. Dizon said the group has already designated the work among the agencies, with 10 waterways set to be cleaned. Some will also have to be widened and dredged, as these have been filled with debris and silt. The biggest workload will be along the boundary of Valenzuela and Meycauayan, Bulacan, where all the agencies will be working together. 'Magsasama sama kami nun, magtutulungan kami para mapaluwag na 'yung waterway dun para kahit papaano, kung magbabaha man o matindi talaga 'yung ulan, eh hindi na katulad nung dati,' he said in an interview on GMA Super Radyo DZBB. (We will work together and help each other to clear the waterways so that somehow, even if it floods or the rain is really heavy, it won't be like before.) Dizon said he expects the waterway works to be continuous for two to three weeks, to prevent, if not lessen, flooding in the area. Parts of NLEX were flooded due to the recent rains brought by Tropical Cyclone Crising (international name: Wipha) and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, specifically in areas along the Valenzuela Interchange and the Paso de Blas entry and exit. For its part, NLEX Corp. said it is working closely with relevant government agencies and LGUs to provide long-term solutions. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21 hours ago
- GMA Network
Habagat to persist in Northern Luzon
The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) will bring rains over Northern Luzon in the next 24 hours, PAGASA said Sunday afternoon. According to 4 p.m. daily weather forecast, the state weather bureau said partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will be observed over Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience similar weather conditions due to localized thunderstorms. These severe thunderstorms may cause flash floods and landslides. At 2 p.m., PAGASA said there are no low pressure areas being monitored for tropical cyclone formation. State meteorologists said winds will be moderate to strong, while coastal waters will be moderate to rough in extreme Northern Luzon. Meanwhile, the rest of the country will experience light to moderate wind conditions and slight to moderate coastal water conditions. Sunrise in Metro Manila will be at 5:40 a.m. on Monday. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
