RAINS spawned by the southwest monsoon and typhoons in late July affected at least 271 hectares of farmland in Pangasinan, and the initial damage estimate to crops and irrigation facilities is expected to increase as assessment and data collection continue.

In the entire Ilocos Region, a total of 959 hectares of crops were severely affected, according to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

In an interview, NIA Regional Director Geffrey Catulin said that as of July 27, the agricultural sector in the region had incurred an estimated damage of P31.4 million. This includes P24.3 million in crop losses and P7.8 million worth of damage to irrigation facilities.

In Pangasinan alone, crop damage reached at least P7million.

A separate report from Calasiao’s Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (MDRRMO) pegged agricultural damage in the town at P9 million.

MDRRMO Chief Freddie Villacorta said many rice fields remain submerged in floodwaters, and monitoring of livestock is ongoing to assess potential losses.

Catulin assured that farmers who have insured their crops through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) will be eligible for financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture. (Ahikam Pasion)

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