Agriculture Secretary William Dar awarded a total of P176 million in rice seeds and fertilizer assistance to Bulakeño farmers affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, which made its landfall on November 12.

During his inspection in the rice fields along the Baliuag Pulilan Bypass Road on November 13, Dar assured that the government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA), will provide support to enable the agriculture sector to bounce back from the losses of the inclement weather conditions that have disrupted production since October.

“Nakahanda po kaming magdagdag ng tulong kung kulang pa,” he said.

Dar also urged the local rice farmers to plant early for the dry cropping season to evade the challenges of typhoons.

“Start planting by the second week of December, so you can harvest earlier next year,” Dar said.

According to the report from the Provincial Agriculture Office, the province’s north zone, which covers the first and second districts, has been severely damaged by the strong winds and torrential rains brought by the typhoon.

Initial reports state that about 10,000-12,000 hectares of rice, in their maturity stage, has been submerged in water.

The Secretary also announced that non-rice farmers — including producers of corn, highland vegetables, sugarcane, coconut, and fishermen — will receive P5,000 in cash and food assistance, from the P4.5 billion budget under the “Buyanihan 2” Act. ### (Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFID)