Crising, Monsoon Agri Damage Reaches P134.7 M

Up to P134.7 million worth of crops, livestock and farms were damaged by the combined effects of Tropical Cyclone Crising and the southwest monsoon, which battered and submerged villages in seven regions, according to the Department of Agriculture.

- By JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

Data from the DA showed the bad weather displaced up to 6,377 farmers and fisherfolk in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Western Visayas.

The weather disturbances affected 8,305 hectares of agricultural areas, with an estimated production volume loss of 3,412 metric tons.

"Further damage and losses are expected in these regions as assessment and validation are ongoing," the DA said.

The rice sector accounted for a majority of the damage with 90.51 percent, followed by the corn sector with 3.96 percent, high-value crops with 3.37 percent and other sectors, 2.16 percent.

At least 7,911 hectares of rice fields have been destroyed by the storm and the monsoon, resulting in production losses of about 3,075 tons of palay valued at P121.9 million, the DA said.