MANILA, Philippines – The estimated cost of damage to agriculture due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (with international name Nalgae) has already reached P3.085 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its report on Sunday.
Out of 92,253 hectares of crops damaged from “Paeng,” Region 5 and Region 3 were the most affected areas with 22,604 and 20,782 hectares of crops damaged, respectively.
A total of 81,866 farmers and fisherfolks were affected.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported Friday that 86,574 agricultural lands had been affected by “Paeng” in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao, and Soccsksargen.
President Marcos Jr. noted that the department is “ready” to assist farmers and fisherfolk affected by “Paeng.”
Additionally, the department will provide adversely affected farmers with loans under the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Survival and Recovery Loan Program amounting to P25,000, with three years of interest-free payment.
Likewise, the Quick Response Fund will be made accessible, according to the department.
“With the declaration of state of calamity, the government can control prices of basic necessities and prime commodities in the four regions. The national and local governments can also utilize their funds for rescue, recovery, and rehabilitation measures,” the DA statement said.
“DA is closely coordinating with concerned national government agencies, local government units, and other concerned offices to assess the impact of the tropical cyclones, and make available the needed resources for interventions and assistance,” it added.
The NDRRMC also reported that damage to infrastructure caused by “Paeng” have increased to P4.3 billion, while damaged houses were tallied at 34,698.
Photo Courtesy: Department of Agriculture’s Official Website
