The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday urged farmers and fisherfolks to harvest early in preparations for the possible impact of Tropical Depression Kristine.

In an advisory, the DA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center told farmers and fishers to closely monitor updates from local DRRMs and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“The Department is advising farmers and fisherfolk… to harvest mature crops and mobilize post-harvest equipment and facilities,” the DA-DRRM said.

Farmers were also told to place agricultural farm inputs and planting materials in proper storages; relocate farm machinery and equipment to higher grounds in case of flooding; relocate animals with adequate feeds and water; and clear irrigation and rice paddies to prevent flooding.

Likewise, fishers were told to avoid sea travel considering rough seaboard conditions; and to secure fishing vessels on higher grounds.

Stable rice stock inventory

DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, meanwhile, assured stable rice stock inventory despite the effects of weather disturbances, with the help of rice importation.

This came after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported an increased projection for the country’s rice imports, which could hit 4.7 million metric tons (MT) in 2024 and 4.9 million MT in 2025.

“Kailangan nating mag-adjust, kasi kung hindi naman madadagdagan ang imports at iyong ating local production ay bababa syempre bababa iyong ating local stock inventory. Hindi lang naman Pilipinas iyong nagtataas ng (We need to adjust, because if we will not increase our imports and our local production decreases, the local stock inventory will also drop. The Philippines is not the only country that increases its) importation,” he said.

De Mesa said the adjustment in local production projection is done taking into account the effects of natural phenomena.

“This could be lower than the previous projections dahil sa mga El Niño, mga sunud-sunod na bagyo, at may parating pa tayo na bagyo, mayroon pa tayong (due to El Niño, consecutive typhoons, and the upcoming typhoon, we still have) La Niña. There could be changes,” he added.

The DA, earlier projected to hit 20.4 million MT palay production, alongside the possibility of breaching the 500,000 MT to 600,000 MT annual palay losses due to the said weather disturbances.

To date, De Mesa said the DA has already logged around 3.51 million MT of rice imports.

Be vigilant, LGUs told

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded local government units to brace for the weather disturbance.

“Sapol ang buong silangan ng Luzon mula Aparri hanggang Legazpi at mga karatig na lalawigan. Ngayon pa lang ay may abiso na kami sa bawat LGU na maghanda at bantayan ang pagdating ni Kristine (It might hit the whole east of Luzon, from Aparri to Legazpi and neighboring provinces. As early as now, we have advised every LGU to prepare and be watchful amid Kristine’s onslaught),” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a social media post.

In a memorandum issued on Monday, the DILG directed LGUs to convene their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) to conduct pre-disaster risk assessments.

The LDRRMC must also hold regular meetings to ensure that appropriate preparedness measures are in place and timely response actions are implemented.

LGUs are also ordered to activate barangay DRRMCs for early warning measures and vigilant monitoring of areas; and inform the communities of weather updates and preparation actions of their localities through appropriate platforms.

In the same memorandum, the DILG directed LGUs to conduct preemptive or mandatory evacuation in areas with high to very high susceptibility to storm surges, floods, and landslides.

LGUs are also urged to undertake all necessary actions based on Operation L!STO protocols and DILG Memorandum Circular 2024-074, which identifies the preparedness measures of LGUs for this year’s impending La Niña and rainy season; prioritize the health and safety of all response personnel and evacuees, and the prepositioning of supplies and equipment.

Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the PNP activated a national task force on disasters that will be led by Directorate for Police Community Development Division.

“As early as two days ago, we are monitoring and we have activated our SAR (search and rescue teams) in case there is a need to deploy them. Our personnel are also readily deployable,” Fajardo said in a separate interview. (PNA)