Damage to agriculture due to Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Maring” has so far reached P608.50 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.

In its latest data, the DA said ‘Maring’ affected 29,063 farmers and fishers, with a volume of production loss at 36,354 metric tons (MT) and damaged 32,882 hectares of agricultural areas in Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas.

Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, and fisheries. These values are subject to validation.

The DA said a total area of 28,952 hectares of rice have been harvested from Ilocos and Cagayan Valley Regions with an equivalent production of 141,635 metric tons worth P2.08 billion before the onslaught of “Maring”.

For corn, a total of 13,776 hectares have been harvested from Cagayan Valley with an equivalent production of 55,654 metric tons amounting to P779.15 million.

The DA regional field offices are further assessing and validating the damage and losses brought by “Maring” in the agri-fisheries sector.

The agency said it also maintains close coordination with concerned government offices, local government units, and other Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM)-related offices to further assess the impact of “Maring”, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance.

The DA said it has enough Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas, and distribution of rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds will be implemented to affected regions, while drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs will also be provided for those who need assistance.

Other monetary aid will be addressed through the DA’s Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC). There are also available funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers.