Typhoons threaten prices, growth

Despite an expected onslaught of typhoons in the third quarter, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) anticipates that consumer prices, particularly for rice, will continue to decline, but weather disturbances are expected to drive up vegetable costs.

- By DERCO ROSAL and DEXTER BARRO II

"Certain items, such as vegetables, are expected to increase. Other items, like rice, will continue with negative inflation," National Statistician and PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa told Manila Bulletin on Thursday, July 24.

Mapa pointed out that "typhoons usually cause increases in the price of agricultural commodities, particularly vegetables."

This affects both vegetable-producing provinces north of Luzon and urban areas down south, such as Metro Manila and CALABARZON region—comprising the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon—which rely on these supplies.

The agricultural damage caused by the three successive tropical storms and the southwest monsoon or "habagat" has climbed to P454.12 million as of July 24, according to the latest bulletin of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The DA said Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Soccsksargen have reported damage and losses in their respective agriculture sectors.

Among the most affected include rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, fisheries, livestock, poultry, and agricultural infrastructure.

The severe weather disturbances, which include tropical storms "Crising," "Dante," and "Emong," have now affected 20,959 farmers and fisherfolk.

The DA said 20,413 hectares (ha) of agricultural areas have been damaged, with production loss at 13,376 metric tons (MT).