DA makes P210.9-M farm aid available amid Luis, Maymay, Neneng

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Agriculture (DA) has made available P210.93 million worth of agricultural inputs for farmers and fisherfolk affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat, and Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng.

The assistance, which includes rice, corn and vegetable seeds, was reported in DA Bulletin No. 10 issued by the agency’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center on Aug. 22.

The latest bulletin also listed 3,631 bags of palay-milled rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) issued to affected local government units in the Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon and Mimaropa regions.

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In its previous bulletin issued Aug. 17, the DA had reported P177.67 million worth of agricultural inputs available to affected farmers and fisherfolk, as well as 1,007 bags of NFA palay-milled rice for affected LGUs in La Union and Batanes.

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READ: DA makes P177.67-M farm inputs available amid habagat

The latest bulletin also said P35.67 million in indemnification is available for 5,005 insured farmers and fisherfolk through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC).

Affected farmers and fisherfolk may also avail themselves of the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), which provides up to P25,000 in loans, payable over three years at zero interest.

DA deploys help desks, KADIWA trucks

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The DA said its regional field offices have undertaken measures to assist farmers and fisherfolk in areas affected by the weather systems.

In the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), DA-CAR established help desks at the Benguet AgriPinoy Trading Center and La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post to monitor the inflow and outflow of vegetables and provide affected farmers with information on available government assistance and interventions.

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The agency is also posting practical tips to help farmers prevent or reduce spoilage and wastage of high-value crops, protect their produce, minimize losses, save costs, and avoid financial difficulties.

The agency is also providing logistical support to help move agricultural commodities and deliver assistance to affected areas.

“Mobilizing logistical support, including the deployment of KADIWA trucks, to facilitate the transport and movement of agricultural commodities and assistance in affected areas,” the bulletin said.

The DA said its regional field offices are also coordinating with regional disaster risk reduction and management councils, local government units and other concerned agencies on response measures for the effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and the three tropical cyclones.

READ: A week of storms: Monsoon, Luis, Maymay leave trail of destruction

The agency also said it is tracking commodity prices and market flows.

“Ongoing surveillance of commodity prices and market flows to enhance consumer awareness and deter price profiteering,” the bulletin said.

These efforts build on measures reported in the DA’s previous bulletin, which included initiatives to help affected producers transport and market their agricultural products. These included pop-up stores established by DA-CAR at SM Baguio and market opportunities being monitored at the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal.

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The DA said its DRRM Operations Center will continue to issue updates on the effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng. /jpv