The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured that assistance to affected farmers will be expedited to allow for quick recovery following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami).

“Nagbigay na ng instruction si Secretary (Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.) sa ating mga regional field offices, dito sa ACPC (Agricultural Credit Policy Council), sa PCIC (Philippine Crop Insurance Industry), at sa lahat ng concerned offices, especially sa mga regional field offices natin, to expedite ‘yung pagbibigay ng tulong sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda na apektado ng bagyong Kristine at makakaasa kayo ng tuluy-tuloy na suporta (The Secretary has instructed all our regional field offices, ACPC, PCIC, and all concerned offices, especially the regional field offices, to expedite the release of aid to all farmers and fishers affected by Kristine, and they can expect continuous support),” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a Zoom interview.

For affected areas, he said the DA has prepositioned P80.21 million worth of agricultural inputs, including seedlings of rice, corn, high-value crops, drugs, and biologics; P500 million loanable fund under the Survival and Recovery Loan of the ACPC; P500 million quick response fund; fuel subsidy; and available indemnification for insured farmers under the PCIC.

“The Secretary has committed additional P1 billion na ire-request natin sa (that we will request from the) DBM (Department of Budget Management) para doon sa tinatawag na rehabilitation effort para sa mga lugar na naapektuhan under pa rin sa ating (for the rehabilitation effort on affected areas, still under our) quick response fund,” De Mesa said, citing its possible release in November or later within the year.

As of Thursday, Oct. 31, the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center reported P80.80 million worth of agricultural damage in rice, corn, high-value crops, and livestock, with the rice sector being the hardest hit.

At least 2,864 farmers were affected in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Mimaropa, Bicol and Western Visayas. PNA