DA PROMISES AID TO KRISTINE-AFFECTED CORDILLERA FARMERS

November 1, 2024 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

An initial 356 rice and vegetable farmers in two provinces in the Cordillera region affected by typhoon “Kristines” expect aid from the Department of Agriculture. Though the agency is still consolidating data on the total number of affected farmers and fisherfolk, DA-CAR Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council focal person Crisante Rosario said, rice farmers in Kalinga and vegetable farmers in Apayao have been affected by the tropical storm affecting 154 hectares of rice and vegetables areas.

An initial P17.5 million-worth of damages was so far recorded, Rosario said, adding, they “are currently gathering
data and information from (our) provincial coordinating offices on the effect of the typhoon.” Luckily, the DA said, rice farmers in the highlands region were able to harvest 28,049 metric tons of rice and 102,300 metric tons of corn before “Kristine,” onslaught. DA-CAR Field Operations Division Chief Beverly Pekas pointed out that they are currently  implementing measures as part of its validation procedures before, during, and after disasters and calamities.

She said they are currently monitoring the actual field situation for damage and losses incurred in the agriculture and fisheries sector. She explained, they have advised  provincial Agriculture Program Coordinating Offices (APCOs), Local Government Units and farmer leaders on farm operation activities, coordination with other National and Regional DRRM-related offices, as well as LGU counterparts to monitor the impact of the tropical storm.

DA vowed it also provides various forms of assistance for distribution in response to the needs of farmers particularly the distribution of agricultural inputs such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds, drugs and biologics for livestock, farmers’ access to the P25,000 loanable amount from the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), payable in three years at zero interest, and the indemnification of insured affected farmers through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) after undergoing the necessary
validation and evaluation process.

DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Jennilyn Dawayan encouraged other affected farmers in the region to immediately report incurred damages to their barangay, municipal, city, and provincial local government units. Then
they can validate these monitoring reports and determine the specific interventions to affected farmers.

Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN