The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that the rice sector sustained the heaviest damage from Tropical Depression Mirasol, Super Typhoon Nando (international name Ragasa), and the southwest monsoon, with initial agricultural losses reaching PHP565.05 million.
Based on DA-DRRM Bulletin No. 7, at least 17,061 farmers were affected, with production losses of 49,896 metric tons (MT) across 16,120 hectares of farmland. Rice accounted for 44,020 MT worth PHP440.75 million, most of which were damaged during the reproductive and maturity stages of palay.
Cagayan and nearby northern provinces recorded the highest volume of losses, followed by Isabela. Damage to high-value crops reached PHP67.33 million, corn at 4,354 MT worth PHP53.02 million, and livestock and poultry at PHP423,000 covering 110 heads. Damage to infrastructure, irrigation, and machinery was estimated at PHP3.5 million.
The DA assured farmers of assistance as its national and regional DRRM centers remain on red alert. It has prepositioned 142,219 bags of palay seeds, 91,485 bags of corn seeds, 40,518 kg of vegetable seeds, and 1.19 million fingerlings for distribution.
“The National Food Authority has more than 2.4 million bags on standby for local government units and relief agencies, while loan and indemnification programs for affected farmers are also available,” the DA said.
