Typhoon ‘Sendong’ has slightly affected the agriculture sector in five regions, with crop damage initially amounting to P8.1M.
In a December 19 memorandum to President Benigno S. Aquino III, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said typhoon ‘Sendong’ (international name: Washi) affected a total area of 3,964 hectares, of which 1,904 hectares are planted to palay (paddy rice) and 2,060 hectares planted to corn.
Secretary Alcala said in terms of value, initial damage amounted to P8.1 million (M), of which P3.57M consisted of rice in seedling and vegetative stages and P4.53M of corn, also in seedling and vegetative stages.
He said the DA will assist affected farmers via a palit-tanim scheme, where farmers will receive a 100-percent (%) seed subsidy for palay or corn if their farms were totally-damaged, and 50% subsidy for partially-damaged farms.
“So far, the full damage to crops, livestock and fisheries is still being assessed,” Secretary Alcala said in his report to President Aquino.
For his part, DA Undersecretary for operations Joel Rudinas said crop damage reports were received initially from five regions (4B, 5, 9, 10 and 11).
For rice, Palawan reported the largest area affected, with 1,305 hectares, followed by Camarines Sur (455 hectares), Davao del Norte (100 hectares), and Northern Mindanao (41 hectares).
“These areas are newly transplanted or at the seedling stage, and expected to recover as soon as floodwaters recede. Hence, estimated loss is minimal,” Rudinas said.
Initial reports on corn showed Bukidnon with 1,500 hectares affected, mostly at seedling and vegetative stages, followed by Zamboanga del Norte, with 540 hectares at reproductive and maturity stages.(DA Information Service)
