The Department of Agriculture (DA), through its Regional Field Office in 4A CALABARZON, awarded a total of P5,368,040-worth intervention and assistance to Lobo, Batangas farmers and fishermen whose crops, livestock, and fisheries were damaged by the typhoons “Quinta” and “Rolly.”
Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, led the handing over of the certificate of award to the recipients at the municipal covered court of Lobo, Batangas on November 5, 2020.
According to Secretary Dar, the total damage to agriculture brought about by “Quinta” and “Rolly” is at P5.5 billion (B).
“The government has put in place assistance and interventions to support affected farmers,” Dar announced.
“Ang pinakanasalanta ay mga palay natin, ‘yung tanim na high-value crops, ‘yung mga fruit trees at corn and livestock,” added.
Secretary Dar also shared that affected farmers and fishermen are guaranteed to receive insurance claims from DA emergency and rehabilitation loan programs under Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Agricultural Credit Policy Council – through its Survival and Recovery Loan Program.
“Mayroon din kaming ibibigay basta nakalista sila sa Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture, magbibigay po kami ng crop indemnification – P10,000 – 15,000, kada farmer ‘yun. Mayroon ding SURE Aid assistance na P25,000 per farmer, per fisher – at zero percent interest, payable in five years,” the DA chief added.
“Ang aming ibibigay ay ayuda agad para pwede nang magsimula mulin ang mga farmers at fisherfolk. Magbibigay po kami sa mga farmers ng mga buto ng palay, corn, gulay at fruit tree seedlings para mataniman agad-agad ang mga sakahan nila. Para sa fisheries, meron kaming 10 million fingerlings ng tilapia, bangus, at mga fishing gears para doon sa mga apektadong coastal communities.”
Following the early warning advise of DA, through its Regional Field Offices, the agri-fishery sector was able to save a total of P24B (P7B – Typhoon Quinta; P17B – Typhoon Rolly).
“Noong nalaman namin na padating na yung mga bagyo, naglabas po agad ng advisory ang DA kaya maraming naisalba,” Sec. Dar said. ### (Pamela Arciaga, DA-AFID)
