Department of Agriculture speeds up aid for farmers, fisherfolk hit by cyclones, Habagat

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered DA regional offices and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to fast-track damage assessments and immediately extend assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by recent tropical cyclones and the Southwest Monsoon.

Preliminary DA data estimate losses at ₱1.38 billion across nine regions, affecting over 55,000 farmers and 47,700 hectares of crops. Production losses reach nearly 110,000 metric tons of rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, and poultry.

The DA is set to distribute seeds, livestock supplies, 1.65 million fingerlings, and provide SURE loans up to ₱25,000 at zero interest, alongside PCIC crop insurance payouts worth ₱236 million.

The National Food Authority (NFA) has allocated 2.4 million bags of rice for relief, with prepositioned stocks already released in Bicol and other hard-hit provinces.

In Cagayan, where losses are pegged at ₱700 million, Sec. Tiu Laurel joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in distributing aid to nearly 13,000 farmers.

The DA will release its full impact assessment on Severe Tropical Storm Opong tomorrow, while continuing to sell ₱20/kilo rice under the KADIWA program in affected areas.

Source | Radyo Pilipinas 

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