Yolanda causes P811M crops damage

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) has recorded P811 million in damage to crops in Cebu brought by super typhoon Yolanda.

Acting PAO Chief Roldan Saragena, however, said the amount is only partial as there are still local government units (LGUs) that have yet to submit their assessment report.

In a meeting with city and municipal agriculturists yesterday, Saragena said that based on data from 17 LGUs in northern Cebu, including those from Camotes Island, affected farmers number 20,253.

He said poor access to farm areas caused the delay in the submission of reports from the other LGUs.

Based on PAO’s damage assessment report, vegetables losses totaled P422.8 million; corn, P141.8 million; mango, P126.6 million; banana, P103.9; while sweet potato, rice and cassava also sustained substantial damage.

Saragena said consumers can expect scarcity of supply of the said farm products, which would result to high prices in the market.

“Atong (We) gi-encourage ang mga tawo og (the people to engage in) backyard gardening labi na sa mga (especially) vegetables,” he said.

Gov. Hilario Davide III has already approved an initial P6 million for agricultural inputs to be distributed to farmers as part of rehabilitation efforts.

Dr. Romulo Davide, Capitol consultant on agriculture and the governor’s uncle, has been designated as head the provincial rehabilitation task force to be launched in Bantayan Island tomorrow.

Saragena said that during the launching, they would also distribute corn seeds, vegetables, mongo seeds, sweet potato cuttings, other vegetables, as well as fertilizers.

These agricultural inputs were brought by Dr. Davide to Cebu for free from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

He earlier encouraged the planting of camote or sweet potato since it has a high probability of surviving a typhoon and is very easy to consume.

Saragena said that in the next two months, farmers could expect to harvest some of the crops. 

Yesterday’s meeting was aimed at asking city and municipal agriculturists to submit their respective rehabilitation plans, including proposed livelihood programs and trainings, not only for farmers but also for fisher folks.—(FREEMAN)