DAMAGE to agriculture caused by Tropical Storm Wipha (Philippine designation: Crising) and the southwest monsoon hit P323.15 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Rice accounted for 66% of the damage, coming in at P212.60 million, across 14,842 hectares of cropland. Lost production was estimated at 6,703 metric tons, DA spokesman Arnel V. de Mesa said at a briefing.
High-value crops accounted for 26% of the damage, and corn 6.85%, he added.
The DA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center said in a separate statement that livestock and poultry accounted for 1.66%, and fisheries 0.01% of the losses.
Mimaropa incurred the most damage at P121 million, of which P65 million was recorded in Occidental Mindoro and P56 million in Palawan, Mr. De Mesa said.
He said Cotabato sustained P58 million in agriculture damage.
In Central Luzon, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija posted P13.6 million and P11.4 million in agricultural losses, respectively.
The government weather service, known as PAGASA, said on Wednesday that it is monitoring two tropical storms that are likely to enhance the southwest monsoon. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza