MANILA – The initial damage caused by severe tropical storm Kristine on the country’s agricultural sector has reached P80.8 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Friday.

DA spokesperson Arnel De Mesa said this information is based on the initial damage report provided last Thursday.

He said the rice and corn sectors in the Bicol region and MIMAROPA sustained the most damage.

“Again these are initial reports that we received from our ground personnel and we’re expecting in the next few days madadagdagan itong mga damage report na ‘to,” he said.

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Northern Luzon, particularly in the Cordillera and Kalinga, experienced agricultural damage reaching P2.6 million.

De Mesa said they expect more agricultural losses despite 70% of crops already harvested ahead of Kristine.

He also said the DA lowered its rice program projection for this year’s expected harvest. 

"Kung matandaan natin yung initial projection nila was 20.8 million metric tons yung projected harvest, ngayon kung 'di ako nagkakamali ang projection nila would be around 19.4 or 19.3 million," he said.

"Dahil nga dun sa El Nino tapos ang daming bagyo tapos yung historical trend pa ng damages pag dating nga nitong last quarter, na merong La Nina. Talagang medyo significant yung mga losses natin this year compared to last year na talagang limited yung number ng bagyo. Limited yung number at yung kanilang damages na dala 'di ganun kalaki," he added.

But he said the country had a "considerable amount" of importation of palay.

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"As of last week kung 'di ako nagkakamali or early this week nasa 3.6 million, almost 3.6 million metric tons which is already the same level as of December last year. Nakapag-import tayo ng 3.6 million metric tons," he said.

"We can expect na madadagdagan 'yan. And with this number, 'yung historical trend ng importation towards the last quarter, we can still expect up to 100 days [of] national stock inventory after the end of the year."

QUICK RECOVERY RESPONSE

Meanwhile, De Mesa said the DA is ready to assist farmers and fisherfolks for their quick recovery.

"Sa ngayon meron na tayong 80 million worth ng preposition ng mga interventions. Ito yung mga binhi ng palay, mais, gulay, mga pataba dun sa mga regional field offices ng mga areas na naapektuhan," he said.

"Nag-commit na rin ang Agricultural Credit Policy Council o ACPC ng 500 million pesos under this survival and recovery loan," he added. 

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He said they would also be requesting an additional P1 billion from the Department of Budget and Management for the rehabilitation of affected agricultural areas.

"Of course 'yung ating indemnification under sa ating insurance claims ng Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, ipapamahagi rin natin yan. Then yung ating mga [Rice Farmer Financial Assistance] at saka fuel subsidy na mapabilis din natin mapabigay dito sa mga areas na naapektuhan," he said.