The onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng has affected about Php 285.28 million worth of farmlands and other agricultural production across the country, according to the Department of Agriculture.
Based on the bulletin of the DA posted at 5 pm on October 30, the storm has damaged about 11,761 metric tons (MT) of production loss and 13,408 hectares of farming lands, with 8,608 farmers affected, in the regional areas of Bicol, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Soccsksargen.
Affected commodities include rice, high-value crops, and fisheries while damage has also been incurred in agricultural facilities, all subject to validation.
For destroyed rice fields, the areas affected reached 13,240 hectares with a volume loss of 11,563 metric tons while high-value crops had 65 hectares that were affected with 78 metric tons of volume loss.
Corn has 103 hectares affected with 120 metric tons of volume loss and fisheries had a total value loss of Php 14.13 million while agri-facilities received Php 18.59 million of damage.
The agricultural bureau is assessing damages and losses in the agri-fisheries sector, that were harmed by Paeng, through its regional offices.
“The DA continuously coordinates with concerned NGAs, LGUs, and other DRRM-related offices for the impact of the tropical cyclones, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance. Mobile KADIWA centers are being set up for rolling out in areas affected by ‘PAENG’ to stabilize prices and supply of agri-fishery commodities," the DA-DRRM Operations Center bulletin said.
