DA records P219.8-M agri damage in Ilocos Region due to Carina

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has started distributing buffer stock seeds and other farm inputs to farmers as Ilocos Region recorded P219.8 million worth of production losses as of July 31 due to the effects of Super Typhoon Carina-enhanced southwest monsoon.

Of the total, P65.5 million production losses were on crops (rice, corn and high-value crops), P7.3 million on livestock, and P147 million on fisheries, DA-Ilocos information officer Vida Cacal said in a phone interview on Monday.

Losses amounted to P33.3 million on rice, P8 million on corn, and P24.2 million on high-value crops.

The damage covered around 6,164 hectares for partially destroyed crops and 331.9 hectares of totally wrecked crops, or 1,309.10 metric tons in the entire Ilocos Region.

There are 10,418 farmers affected by the weather disturbance.

"This is not yet the final report but more like a progress report since the damage reports from the local government units (LGUs) are still coming in and are being validated," Cacal said.

In livestock, the recorded P7.3 million worth of losses were from Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur while the reports from La Union and Pangasinan are being validated, she said.

Cacal said buffer stock seeds are being distributed to the farmers as replacement for their damaged crops and fertilizers for the remaining crops, while biologics and drugs are being given to the livestock owners.

"We are continuously monitoring and gathering reports for submission to DA Central Office, hence we appeal to the LGUs to provide accurate data so that the aid for the affected agri-workers will also be accurate," she said in Filipino.

Despite the volume of losses from the recent calamity, Cacal said the damage is only minimal compared to the sufficiency level in agri-production of the region.

She added reports on agri-infrastructure damage in the region are still being collected. (PNA)