The total amount of damage and losses in agri-fisheries due to Typhoon “Quinta” has increased to Php 705.87 million from the previously-reported Php 401.73 million, with 33,545 MT of volume loss, affecting 25,483 farmers and fisherfolk with 19,971 hectares of agricultural areas in Ilocos Region, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula. Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, fisheries, livestock, irrigation, and agri-facilities.

These values are subject to further validation. The increase in values is attributed to the updated reports in rice and corn from the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Zamboanga City.

The DA Regional Field Offices in “Quinta”-affected regions are thoroughly assessing and validating damage and losses in the agri-fisheries sector, and thereafter provide needed emergency assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk.

The following assistance from the Department of Agriculture are available to affected farmers:

• Quick Response Fund (QRF) amounting to Php 795 million for the rehabilitation of affected areas;
• Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC);
• Indemnification funds from Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers; and
• A total of 30,280 bags of rice seeds; 8,071 bags of corn seeds, and 1,792 kgs of assorted vegetables from Regions I, IV-A, V, VI and IX.

The DA-DRRM Operations Center will continuously provide updates on Typhoon “Quinta”. For inquiries, kindly contact (02) 8929-0140 or 09616965099