Habagat, 4 Cyclones Cause P4.38 Billion in Agri Damage

MANILA, Philippines — The combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat,” and Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng and Pilandok have damaged P4.38 billion worth of agricultural produce nationwide. In its final bulletin posted on Tuesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the weather disturbances affected the livelihood of 99,663 farmers and fisherfolk in Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Bicol and Western Visayas regions. Also damaged were 102,791 metric tons of farm produce, reaching 81,511 hectares, with rice accounting for 46.69 percent of the overall damage estimated at P2.05 billion. High-value crops came second at 31.44 percent or P1.38 billion of the total, followed by fisheries at 14.79 percent or P647.79 million. Other affected commodities included corn, cassava, livestock and poultry, and agri-fisheries infrastructure, machinery and equipment. The DA said it is crafting a comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery plan for agriculture, particularly in affected areas. —Jordeene B. Lagare