The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol reported Wednesday that initial agricultural damage from Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong) has reached P3.70 billion, with the region’s coconut industry bearing the heaviest toll.
DA Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla confirmed that coconut farms recorded the most extensive destruction. The sector sustained losses estimated at P1.18 billion, affecting 128,761 hectares of plantations and impacting 125,679 farmers. Over 3,398 hectares of coconut land were reported as completely damaged.
The abaca industry followed, with an estimated damage of P1.03 billion across 54,205 hectares, affecting 23,807 farmers.
Among the six provinces in the region, Camarines Sur suffered the greatest financial impact at P1.5 billion, followed by Catanduanes with P1 billion in reported damage.
To aid affected farmers, the DA has prepared a P1.2 billion package of interventions, which includes seeds, fertilizers, vegetable seeds, garden tools, and hauling trucks.
Financial assistance is being channeled through the Survival and Recovery (SURE) loan program, which has allocated approximately P25 million to offer each affected farmer a loan of up to P25,000.
Additionally, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has allotted P7.1 million for insurance payouts to typhoon victims.
To stabilize food supply, the National Food Authority (NFA) has begun selling P20 rice, worth P19.5 million in total, available at accredited NFA provincial offices and farmers’ cooperative association outlets in Bicol.
