The damages in the agriculture sector due to Typhoon Egay have reached a value of ₱1.94 billion, the latest data released by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday showed.
According to DA, Typhoon Egay's wrath has resulted in a loss of 86,875 metric tons (MT) of corn, rice, and other high-value crops in 147,063 hectares.
This loss adversely affected the livelihoods of 123,274 families and fisherfolks across the country.
To break down, the agriculture department said rice has suffered a volume loss of 32,328 MT or an estimated total value of ₱949.5 million in 79,485 hectares.
Corn had 44,467 MT volume loss or ₱734.5 million in 66,068 hectares.
High-value crops sustained a volume loss of 10,134 MT volume loss or an estimated ₱200.8 million in 1,510 hectares.
In the sector of fishery, about 285 fisherfolk and their fishing equipment have been affected.
Meanwhile, DA also reported that at least 8,981 chicken, duck, swine, cattle, carabao, goats, and sheep perished amidst the typhoon's onslaught, amounting to an estimated loss of ₱11.7 million.
Typhoon Egay took a toll on several agricultural infrastructures, particularly warehouses, laboratories, research centers, animal barns, and postharvest facilities with ₱20.8 million estimated damage cost.
For its part, the agriculture department said it has provided various types of assistance for the affected fisherfolk and farmers.
These include the distribution of rice seeds, corn seeds, assorted vegetable seeds as well as drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry.
According to DA, affected fisherfolks have received ₱62,000 worth of tilapia, carp, and catfish fingerlings from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and ₱200 million worth of Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC).
On July 27, Egay left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) but several areas are still suffering from its impact.
Sixteen provinces, towns, and cities in Luzon are presently under a state of calamity.
