THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has already earmarked around P853 million worth of assistance to farmers and fishermen affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.
Among the interventions eyed by the agency is the provision of P500 million for the rehabilitation of typhoon-affected areas coming from its Quick Response Fund, P250.2 million of rice and corn seeds and assorted vegetables,
P100 million from the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) will be earmarked, including P1.65-million worth of fingerlings and assistance to affected fisherfolk coming from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), P625,150 worth of drugs and biologics and other funds coming from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
In terms of damages and losses, the DA reported that the total was at P176.4 million, affecting 3,664 farmers and fishers, while volume of production loss hit 10,229 metric tons and 10,830 hectares of agricultural areas.
Most affected had been Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas and Caraga region.