Typhoon Paeng has left more thanP13 million worth of damage to the agriculture sector in the region, according to the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera.
As of the Nov. 2 report of the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operation Center, the total worth of damage to crops, livestock, and poultry, affecting 403 farmers and fisherfolks was pegged at P13,059,233.
Bulk of the more than P13M worth of damage came from the 171.79 metric tons of crops worth P12.2M while 89 heads of livestock and poultry worth P778,000 were affected.
The damage to production facilities was pegged at P50,000.
Around 72.49 hectares of farmlands were totally damaged and 18.85 hectares were partially damaged, according to the CDRRMC report.
Benguet has recorded a total of P6.7M damage mostly in its high value crops in Atok, Tuba, Bakun, Bokod, Buguias, and Kibungan.
Kalinga has incurred P6.3M in crop damages mostly in its corn produce with P5.5M while its livestock and poultry suffered P777,900 damage.
The damage in crops and livestock were recovered in Pinukpuk, Rizal, Tabuk City, Tanudan, Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil, and Tinglayan, Kalinga.
DA-Cordillera Information Officer Aida Pagtan said initial reports from Mountain Province stated Bauko reported that 148 farmers affected when 49.87 hectares planted with high-value crops were damaged.
Pagtan said DA is still validating the damage report from other provinces and municipalities of the region.
On the national scene, the DA-DRRM operation center said the damage and losses reported from the various regions reached P2.74 billion, affecting 74,944 farmers and fishermen.
The hard-hit regions are the Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao, and Soccsksargen.
Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, fisheries, livestock and poultry while damage in agricultural infrastructures, machineries, and equipment was likewise recorded.
DA reported various forms of assistance are available for affected farmers and fishermen. – Ofelia C. Empian
