The Department of Agriculture (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) offices are on round-the-clock operations to properly evaluate the effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and Typhoon Carina on the entire sector.

“Lahat po ng concerns ay pwede pong tanggapin sa bawat regional field office, nakatutok (All concerns may be received in each regional office. They are always on standby),” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said at the “Usapang Agrikultura” (Agriculture Talks) program aired over Radyo Pilipinas on Friday.

De Mesa said farmers may also directly reach out to DA regional offices and municipal agriculturists.

Available aid includes 72,174 bags of rice seeds; 39,546 bags of corn seeds; 59,600 pouches and 1,966 kg of vegetable seeds; PHP25,000 worth of loan under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, with zero interest and payable in three years; and activation of funds under the quick response fund and Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.

To date, 11,003 farmers are affected, with agricultural damage pegged at PHP251.21 million, according to DA-DRRM Bulletin No. 9.

“Maliit pa ito kumpara sa, base sa mga nararanasan natin sa mga nakalipas na taon. Umaasa rin tayo na hindi masyadong magiging malala iyong pagpasok ng La Niña (This is low compared or based on what we have been experiencing in the past years. We are also hoping that the upcoming La Niña will not be worse),” De Mesa said.

The rice sector incurred the most damage at PHP228.23 million or 2,912 MT (metric tons) in terms of volume, followed by corn at 297 MT (PHP14.08 million), high value crops at 228 MT (PHP8.75 million) and livestock at PHP143,300.

The DA earlier said around 500,000 MT to 600,000 MT production loss are expected each year due to natural calamities. (PNA)