DA DELIVERS SEEDS, FUNDS
TO STORM-HIT LUZON AREAS
Lingayen, Pangasinan – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has turned over P81-M worth of seeds to Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. yesterday to start the relief and rehabilitation efforts in Agriculture and Fisheries in areas affected by a series of tropical storms which swept through several provinces in Luzon, including the island of Mindoro.
In addition to the seeds, a P50-M loan fund which could be accessed by farmers without any interest or collateral was also allocated for Pangasinan.
Fiberglass fishing boats and nets will also be delivered by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to replace those lost by fishermen.
Fingerlings of Bangus, Pangasinan’s most famous product, will also be given to fish cage and fishpond farmers.
Pangasinan was one of the three provinces which I visited yesterday as I decided to personally supervise the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the Department so that farmers and fishermen affected by the storms could recover immediately.
Using an Air Force Belle helicopter provided by the Department of National Defense and a small Raven II chopper lent by Predidential friend Archie Po, I first flew to Bataan Province where I met with local officials led by Gov. Albert Garcia, and farmers and fishermen.
From Bataan, I proceeded to Tarlac and met with Gov. Susan Yap and local officials, including farmers groups.
The DA-DRRM Center, meanwhile, reported late last night that the assessment of damage to agriculture and fisheries increased to P1.55-B.
Here is the DA-DRRM update:
“As of 6 p.m. yesterday , total value of production loss for TS Henry, STS Inday and TD Josie amount to Php 1.55-billion with Pangasinan being the most affected province (P449.63 million), followed by Tarlac (P397.81 million).
Rice – P1.14 billion with 15,954MT volume of production loss, 75,103 ha area affected and 6,167 bags of palay used for seedbeds. Most affected provinces are Pangasinan and Tarlac
Corn – P18.89 million with 651MT volume of production loss and 1,431 ha area affected. Most affected province is Tarlac.
Cassava – P1.35 million with 192MT volume of production loss and 124 ha area affected in the provinces of Pampanga and Zambales.
High Value Crops – P43.56 million worth of assorted vegetables with 1,255MT volume of production loss and 426 ha area affected. Most affected provinces are Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija.
Livestock – P4.36 million worth of 6,195 heads of carabao, chicken, cattle, carabao, hogs, ducks in the provinces of La Union, Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur.
Fisheries – P155.20 million worth of tilapia, bangus, catfish, crab, shrimp and oyster breeders affecting 986 fisherfolk. Most affected provinces are Pampanga and Bulacan.
Fisheries Facilities – Php0.96 million affecting 74 fisherfolk. Most affected provinces are Cavite, Bataan and Pampanga.
Affected Regions: RFO CAR (Ifugao, Benguet, Abra), RFO I (Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, La Union), RFO II (Cagayan), RFO III (Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales), RFO IV-A (Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Cavite), RFO Mimaropa (Occidental and Oriental Mindoro) and RFO VI (Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental).”
Today, I will fly to Occidental Mindoro where extensive damage was also reported.
Top officials of the DA will be joining me.
(I personally took the photos posted using my phone camera as I flew in a Raven II helicopter over Central Luzon.)
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