The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday reported that agricultural losses due to the southwest monsoon (habagat) and tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong have reached ₱454.12 million, based on the latest update from its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center.
The extreme weather has affected some 20,000 farmers and 20,413 hectares of farmland across nine regions and 13,376 metric tons (MT) of produce lost. While 81 percent of the affected land is still considered recoverable, 3,809 hectares have been written off as a total loss.
Economic Breakdown:
- Rice suffered the most damage at ₱275.03 million, with 8,256 MT of losses across 18,490 hectares.
- High-value crops followed with ₱117.17 million in losses, primarily from 3,540 MT of produce on 717 hectares.
- Corn incurred ₱38.90 million in damages across 1,197 hectares (1,523 MT).
- Fisheries and aquatic resources lost ₱9.20 million, affecting 543 fisherfolk and damaging fish stocks and gear such as fishpond dikes and motorized boats.
- Livestock and poultry damage was valued at ₱6.19 million, covering over 1,100 affected animals.
- Additional losses include ₱6.62 million in irrigation systems, ₱920,740 in cassava, ₱83,000 in machinery, and ₱1,000 in infrastructure.
The DA noted these figures may still rise, with ongoing field assessments in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and SOCCSKSARGEN.
In response, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the distribution of ₱596.5 million worth of farm and fishery inputs (e.g., seeds, pesticides, fingerlings), alongside 2,100 bags of rice from the NFA delivered to Palawan, Albay, and Polangui. The DA is also activating its Quick Response Fund, while the Agricultural Credit Policy Councilhas allocated ₱400 million in zero-interest loans and is expediting insurance payouts.
“This is an ongoing disaster, and with more storms entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the impact of Habagat may intensify,” Tiu Laurel warned.
Meanwhile, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) confirmed all transmission lines remain operational as of 1 p.m. Thursday. The company has prepositioned line crews, readied repair equipment, and reinforced communication systems in preparation for further weather-related disruptions.
