Kanlaon agriculture damage hits P32.8 million

MANILA, Philippines — The damage caused by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano to the agriculture sector has reached P32.83 million, the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said.

Citing a report from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, the PDRRMC said the damage to high-value commercial crops stands at P29,268,182. It pegged the damage to rice at P2,576,406 and to corn at P503,352.

The report also said the damage to livestock reached P268,429 and P214,000 for aquaculture as of Dec. 21.

Based on the latest bulletin of the Department of Agriculture operation center, 297 hectares of agricultural areas have been damaged. The DA pegged the volume of production loss at 832 metric tons (MT).

A report of the DA regional office in Western Visayas said at least 780 farmers were affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Dec. 9.

“Additional damage and losses are expected as assessment is ongoing in areas affected by the Kanlaon volcanic activity,” the DA said.

According to the DA, at least 1,010 animals were evacuated to various evacuation sites in La Castellana and La Carlota.

“In response to the needs of farmers affected by the Kanlaon volcanic activity, DA is providing various forms of assistance, including agricultural inputs such as rice and corn seeds as well as drugs and biologics for livestock animals,” a statement declared.

Affected farmers can take out a loan of P25,000 under the Survival and Recovery program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council. The SURE loan is payable in three years at zero interest.

The DA promised to indemnify insured affected farmers through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.