Typhoon Egay caused approximately PHP5 billion in damage and losses in the country's agriculture and fisheries sectors, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday.

According to the DA's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Section, the overall amount of damage to the sector is now PHP 4.47 billion, affecting 170,510 farmers and fishermen, with a total volume of production loss of 152,041 metric tons and 195,539 hectares of agricultural land.

The numbers were derived from the evaluation of DA Regional Field Offices in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.

Rice seeds and fertilizers worth PHP65.3 million, corn seeds and pesticides worth PHP94.7 million, assorted vegetable seeds worth PHP39.6 million, and tilapia, carp, and catfish fingerlings from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources worth PHP62,000 are available for distribution to affected farmers and fishermen, according to the DA.

There is also PHP5.9 million in fuel assistance for fishermen, primarily in CAR, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon; PHP1.9 million in repair and maintenance for damaged motorized boats; PHP200 million in the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council with a loanable amount of up to PHP25,000, payable in three years at zero interest; and PHP500 million in the Quick Response Fund for the rehabbing of damaged motorized boats.

The DA is also working with other national government agencies, local governments, and disaster response officials to examine the effects of the recent storm and determine available resources to help the afflicted populace.