Agricultural damage and losses due to Typhoon Egay have reached PHP 53.1 million, as reported by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday. The initial assessment shows that four regions have been affected, namely CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region), CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Region XIII (CARAGA).

The recorded damage has impacted 2,303 farmers, with a volume of production loss of 1,871 metric tons (MT) and 3,185 hectares of agricultural areas. Rice, corn, livestock, and poultry are among the affected commodities, although the values are still subject to validation, according to the DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center.

To provide assistance, the DA has made fingerlings, rice, corn, various vegetable seeds, and drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry available for distribution to affected farmers and fishermen.

Those affected can also apply for loans of up to P25,000 from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program. Additionally, there is a quick-response fund available for the rehabilitation of affected areas.

Photo: Flora Apayao, Municipal Agriculture Office