Australia provides P23 million for agriculture recovery

MANILA, Philippines — The Australian government has provided P23 million in assistance to help Northern Luzon farmers recover from the typhoon that hit the country three months ago.

Australia provided AUD600,000 or P23 million to assist 2,000 farming families in Cagayan, the most affected province hit by Typhoon Ompong in September.

“We are supporting farmers to rebuild their livelihood, and we are assisting their families with cash and in-kind support to help them get back on their feet,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely said.

Australia’s emergency assistance is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).

FAO will distribute fertilizers to the farming families to complement the Department of Agriculture’s provision of rice and vegetable seeds as alternative short-term income source while, waiting for the next harvest season early next year.

It will also provide technical support through production-related training to help farmers’ families who missed the harvest season in October due to the typhoon.

“The Australian government’s contribution is critical and timely in helping the affected farming families. If not immediately addressed, this may lead to food insecurity and malnutrition, and more financial difficulties as these farmers try to recoup and recover from their losses,” FAO Representative in the Philippines Jose Luis Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, WFP will roll out an emergency cash-based program to address food security and nutrition needs of the farming families.

The program will provide one-off cash support representing 10 days of the minimum wage for agricultural workers in the area.

Typhoon Ompong damaged nearly P27 billion in the agriculture sector, now the highest recorded five years after Yolanda ravaged the Visayas region.