The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) is mobilizing urgent aid for farmers and fisherfolks affected by Tropical Storm Crising (international name: Wipha).
To aid recovery, the DA has allocated around USD 8.7 million in agricultural inputs for the affected areas.
Additional support will come from Quick Response Funds for rehabilitation, zero-interest Survival and Recovery Loans, and indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.
Poultry, crops, fisheries hit hard
Preliminary reports from the DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operations Center show losses of around USD 2.4 million across rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, poultry, livestock, and fisheries.
The storm, intensified by southwest monsoon, impacted more than 8000 ha and affected over 6000 farmers and fisherfolk.
The amount of damages and affected producers are still subject to validation and may increase.
Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations and DA officer-in-charge Roger Navarro noted that the department, alongside other government agencies, are monitoring disruptions in the food supply chain to prevent significant price increases on key agricultural commodities.
Government agencies remain on alert to restore livelihoods and stabilize food systems in the affected regions.