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Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol will visit typhoon-hit Isabela after President Rodrigo Duterte will be unable to attend the recent conference
TAKING A HIT. Typhoon Rosita writs havoc in Northern Luzon, damaging at least P1.85 trillion worth of agricultural goods. Malacañang photo
MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Rosita (Yutu) Weakened to at least P1.85 billion in agricultural damage, said the Department of Agriculture's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (DA-DRRMOC) on Saturday, November 3.
Agricultural products lost to the typhoon was estimated at 98,870 metric tons and covered 93,209 hectares in Northern Luzon.
A total of P1.41 billion worth of rice was damaged, mainly coming from Isabela and Cagayan.
Meanwhile, a total of P48.57 million worth of corn was affected, with Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya taking most of the hit.
A total of 19,213 farmers and fisher folk were affected by Rosita's onslaught.
The DA-DRRMOC already mobilized regional teams to validate the estimates.
Seed buffer stocks for rice, corn, and assorted high value crops will be distributed to affected regions.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said he will personally visit typhoon-hit Isabela to check on the needs of farmers.
His announcement came after President Rodrigo Duterte scolded him for being unable to attend the conference on Rosita's effects last Wednesday, October 31.
DA Director Narciso Edillo represents Piñol in the briefing. Piñol said in a Facebook post on Saturday that he was with his family and visited the grave of his late father.
"I take the blame and apologize if the Office of the President failed to inform the President of my request that it be represented by another official in that trip," Piñol said.
"Personally, I interpret the President's act of looking for the agriculture secretary in the briefing as an indication of the importance he gives to the welfare of farmers and fishermen affected by the typhoon," he added.
Rosita exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility last Wednesday. It left at least 11 people dead from landslides and flash floods, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). – Rappler.com
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