THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture XI recorded P145,435,917 million worth of agricultural damage as a result of the shear line weather phenomenon in parts of the Davao Region as of Jan. 22.
During the Agribiz forum on Jan. 23, Joedel Leliza, DA XI Disaster Risk Reduction and Management focal person, said they are still waiting for the report from the municipalities of Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental, particularly involving high-value crops.
According to the report, there were 5,627 total farmers affected and 7,468.96 hectares damaged with a total value loss of P108,618,117. 36.
For corn, the DA XI recorded 212 affected farmers and 177.19 hectares affected with a total value loss of P5,376,489.70.
For high-value crops, a total of 508 farmers were affected and 312.23 hectares were damaged with P31,350,110.58 in total value loss.
“This data will fluctuate, either it will get higher or reduce, depending on the additional validation. Because to date, there are still submerged areas, particularly vegetative areas. Vegetative areas could still thrive once the water dries,” Leliza said.
Leliza said the department will provide intervention and programs such as buffer stocking under the rice banner program.
He said they are in continuous coordination with the municipalities and provinces that were not yet able to submit their reports, as these reports will be a requirement to access the national office through the Quick Response Fund (QRF).
“The rest na dili namo mahatag will be requested sa national office through the QRF. This fund will be accessed, ang pinaka dugay will be three weeks since we still need to provide documents,”
He stressed that the rehabilitation recovery phase for affected farmers will take longer “as this will serve as a long-term solution.”
The QRF P1-billion total budget, which is to be requested nationally, is intended for all calamities in the Philippines.
Leliza said the funds might not be enough to accommodate the agricultural damages, as there are also other regions affected by the shear line, such as Region X and XIII.
“Ang gina-suggest sa amoa sa national kay ilahang pangayuon from Department of Budget and Management (DBM), mag-augment og additional P1-billion,” he said.
He said if the central office funds are still insufficient, they will request additional budget from the National Disaster and Management Council.
“Dili gyud pud mahatagan tanan, i-prioritize ragyud ang commodities na need i-rehabilitate. Ang mag-identify sa prioritized commodities will be the municipalities and provinces because the rehabilitation plan will come from them,” he added.
Photo from Department of Agriculture XI
