ILOILO CITY – Over PHP134 million worth of crops, poultry, and livestock were damaged by Tropical Depression Agaton affecting 4,435 farmers based on the initial reports of local government units (LGUs) to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas on Thursday.

DA Regional Executive Director Remelyn Recoter, in an interview, said the rice crops were the most affected with an initial cost of PHP132 million while corn was placed at PHP2.5 million.

There were also initial losses reported on high-value crops, poultry, and livestock while others are still coming in, she added, but the figures will be under validation, which will start on April 18.

“We cannot validate because the waters are still high. This morning portions of Capiz from Dumarao, Cuartero, Dao, and Sigma and the lower portions of the province are still submerged (under) water,” she said.

Municipalities submit to the DA their planting or harvesting report of standing crops so it is easier for them to identify those affected based on the report, Recoter said.

The report showed 939 hectares of rice crops were affected; 133 hectares were damaged or had no chance of recovery while the rest had a chance of recovery at different percentages depending on their stage, she added.

“In Capiz, more or less 3,000 hectares were affected; totally damaged is 507 hectares and 2,500 can still recover or partially damaged,” she said.

She said for rice, they will provide seed replacement but for now, their buffer stock for 2022 has been used up for those affected by Typhoon Odette.

“We will be asking assistance from our central office for additional buffer stock. Anyway, the wet season will start by May or June,” she said. (PNA)