Ulysses damage to agriculture hits P6.7 billion

MANILA, Philippines — Damage to the agriculture sector in areas battered by Typhoon Ulysses reached P6.72 billion and not P540 billion as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

In total, Ulysses damaged 334,533 hectares of agricultural lands with production losses at  226,708 metric tons,  affecting 167,885 farmers in Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol region.

The rice sector was hardest hit, losing P2.37 billion or 35 percent of the damage. This affected  79,566 hectares with Cagayan and Isabela reporting the most damage.

The high value crops sector was also affected with P2.04 billion in damage, covering 16,918 hectares and 71,645 MT in produce.

Fisheries incurred P1.36 billion in  losses comprising  fin fish, milkfish, hito, tilapia, carp, crabs and prawn.

The corn sector was also hit with damage valued at P540.54 million, affecting 32,200 hectares with 9,270 MT.

For livestock and poultry, damage was estimated at 138,164 heads of animals including cattle, carabao, goat, swine, sheep, chicken, duck, quail and turkey worth P101.15 million.

– Louise Maureen Simeon

Irrigation and agri-facilities and other machineries and equipment have a combined damage of P105.68 million.

The DA has already prepared interventions for affected farmers and fisherfolk including rice, corn and vegetable seed reserves, livestock and fisheries paraphernalia and other production inputs.

It will also repair and rehabilitate production facilities and small scale irrigation systems under its quick response while unconditional cash and food assistance will be given to marginalized farmers.

Recovery loans are also being readied while the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. will grant indemnity to farmers and fishermen who availed of insurance coverage.