Typhoon Karding leaves an estimated P141.38 million worth of damage and losses to agriculture, according to the initial estimates of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The initial assessment includes 16,229 hectares of land in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.
The loss translates to a total production loss of 5,866 metric tons (MT) of commodities such as rice, corn, and high value crops, which affected 740 farmers.
“These values are subject to validation. Additional damage and losses are expected in areas affected by ‘Karding’,” the DA said.
The DA shared that assistance will be made ready to farmers and fisherfolk who were affected by the typhoon, which includes 133,240 bags of rice seeds; 5,729 bags of corn seeds; and 4,911 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds.
The agriculture department also said they can use the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) as well as the P500-million worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas.
“Karding” is scheduled to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday evening.
— Ronald Espartinez