The Philippines’ agriculture sector has suffered a total of ₱323.15 million in damages following the onslaught of successive natural disasters, according to the latest report from the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (DA-DRRMOC).
Based on their assessment, the series of calamities has affected approximately 14,772 farmers and fisherfolk across various regions. These damages translated to the loss of 10,595 metric tons of agricultural products and affected about 15,868 hectares of farmland nationwide.
📍 Most Affected Regions:
The agricultural damage was reported in the following regions:
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Ilocos Region
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Cagayan Valley
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Central Luzon
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CALABARZON
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MIMAROPA
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Bicol Region
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Western Visayas
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SOCCSKSARGEN
🌾 Most Impacted Crops:
A significant portion of the losses came from the rice sector, with damage totaling over ₱212 million, accounting for 66% of the overall losses. Meanwhile, high-value crops incurred nearly ₱83 million in damages.
📝 Ongoing Assessment and Support
The DA stated that field validation and assessment efforts are still ongoing in affected areas, especially those still experiencing persistent rainfall and flooding. Officials warn that the total amount of damage may increase as more reports come in.
To assist affected farmers, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has already allocated an initial ₱268 million in indemnity funds for 45,980 insured farmers who filed early claims.
Additionally, the Department of Agriculture’s Quick Response Fund (QRF) is being mobilized to support rehabilitation and recovery operations in the most severely impacted areas.
This latest string of calamities underscores the importance of climate-resilient farming and sustainable agriculture planning as weather patterns grow increasingly unpredictable.
