The initial cost of damage to the agriculture sector from Tropical Storm Kristine has reached P9.75 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center. As of 2 p.m. on Thursday, the storm has affected 234 farmers across 209 hectares, resulting in a loss of 598 metric tons (MT) of agricultural goods.
Most of the damage was on rice worth P9.6 million or 203 MT, followed by corn, which lost 7.50 MT valued at P167,000. The DA said the assessment relates primarily to the Bicol region. More reports from other areas are expected to increase this figure.
To assist affected farmers, the DA is distributing agricultural inputs such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds, as well as livestock medications. Additionally, the Agricultural Credit Policy Council has made available the Survival and Recovery Loan Program, offering loans up to P25,000, payable over three years at zero interest. The agency is also providing quick response funds for rehabilitation and indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.
In a related development, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is working to restore power to approximately 397,000 customers impacted by service interruptions, primarily in Laguna and Cavite, with additional outages reported in parts of Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, and Metro Manila. Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president, assured the public that crews are working to restore service, urging residents to prioritize safety during the recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that nine of its 69-kiloVolt (kV) lines remain out of service due to the storm. The NGCP is conducting inspections and mobilizing line crews to assess damage and restore power in affected areas.
As storm recovery efforts continue, both the Meralco and NGCP emphasize their commitment to restoring services and assisting communities in need.
