MANILA, Philippines — An estimated P3.06 billion worth of crops and livestock was lost due to the eruption of the Taal Volcano, the Department of Agriculture said.

According to the latest data, some 6,000 tilapia and bangus cages in Taal Lake accounted for the largest chunk of the damage, placing this at P1.6 billion.

The rest were losses from some 1,900 animals and plantations of coffee, cacao, pineapple, fruits and vegetables, rice, and coconut in Batangas, Cavite and Laguna.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Animal Industry initially delivered 20 bags of animal feeds, drugs and medicine.

The Philippine Carabao Center and National Dairy Authority gave 2.5 tons of animal feeds, said the agriculture department.

The Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal will donate 10 tons of assorted vegetables that will arrive in Lipa City today, Saturday (18 January 2020) said the DA.

The League of Associations, composed of farmers and traders in La Trinidad, Benguet, will also provide a truck and collect vegetables for the evacuees starting Friday, said the agency.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday distributed an initial P160 million to farmers and fishermen in Batangas, the DA said on Facebook.

The group can also take out a P25,000 loan payable in three years with zero interest, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said. (STACY ANG/IAMIGO/Currentph.com)