Cordillera logs P2.6M estimated losses in Agri-sector due to TS Crising and monsoon; damage to crops may increase with entry of TY Emong

Baguio City, Philippines - The damage to agriculture due to the combined effects of Severe Tropical Storm ‘Crising’ and the southwest monsoon has reached around P2.652 million as of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, said the Department of Agriculture - Cordillera.

Even after it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on July 19, ‘Crising’ (Wipha) still caused rains, enhancing the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’, resulting in significant damage in Cordillera and nearby regions.

This amount of damage may increase with the entry of Typhoon Emong which has been forecast to bring more rains to Luzon, including the provinces in the region.

Based on DA - Cordillera’s latest bulletin, the weather disturbances affected 328 farmers in CAR. Among the damaged crops included rice, corn, and other high-value crops.

As the department works with the local government units in conducting joint monitoring, it has already pre-positioned 14,625 kilos of hybrid rice and 37,300 kilos of hybrid yellow corn as buffer stocks for distribution to affected farmers.

“Inorganic fertilizers, biofertilizers, and soil ameliorants are also being distributed to farmers who are undergoing land preparation in time for rice planting,” said the agriculture department in its situation report.

‘Report crop damages promptly’

Meanwhile, DA - Cordillera urged farmers to immediately report any damage to their crops, livestock, or farming equipment so that appropriate measures can promptly be rolled out.

Those affected are advised to submit reports through their barangay agriculture extension workers or their respective Municipal Agriculture Office.

In their report, farmers must provide vital information such as their name, address, type of crops and their growth stage, estimate of area affected, details of livestock (type, number of heads, stage/age), description and extent of equipment or infrastructure damage, estimated value of losses, and their Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) number.

Clear photos of the damage with a watermark of their name must be attached to the report for identification and verification.

Concerned municipal or provincial LGUs are tasked to submit reported damages online through the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System.