Farm damage from ”Ambo” over P 1 billion

May 18, 2020

Damage to agriculture due Tropical Storm ''Ambo''  reached to P 1.04 billion, the Department of Agriculture reported on Sunday night.

 ''Ambo'' affected 20,652 hectares of agricultural areas and 21,655 farmers and fisherfolk in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions, the DA said.

"The total amount of damage and losses caused by “Ambo” in the agri-fisheries sector has increased from P185.83 million to P 1.04 billion with volume of production loss at 62,228 MT," the DA said.

"The vast increase is due to the updated reports from Calabarzon, Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions, and additional reports from Central Luzon," it stated.

"Seventy three percent (P755.57 million) of the total damage and losses comes from the reports on high value crops, of which 87 percent (P 602.06 million) are banana and papaya in Quezon province," it added.

The DA said the affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops such as assorted vegetables, banana and papaya,  livestock, and fisheries, including fish stock, facilities and equipment.

"These values are still subject to validation," the DA said.

"Damage assessment and field validation are being conducted by affected regions to determine the extent of damage and losses brought by the typhoon in the agri-fisheries sector," it added.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar assures that the Department will fast-track the delivery of interventions to typhoon-stricken farmers and fisherfolk.

"DA regional executive directors in “Ambo”-affected regions have also been instructed to thoroughly assess damage and losses in crops, livestock and fisheries, including farm infrastructures and facilities, and thereafter provide needed emergency assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk," the DA said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council ( NDRRMC) has recorded  a total of 25,474 families or 82,562 persons affected by ''Ambo'' from 59 cities and municipalities within  eight provinces of Calabarzon, Region VIII and Cordillera Administrative Region.

The number of injured victims in the affected regions  increased to 54, while 87 structures, including nine health facilities, and 75 schools were damaged because of  ''Ambo''. Robina Asido/DMS