DBM releases P833M to DA for rehab of typhoon-stricken areas

By Jennifer A. Ng

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already released P833 million to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the rehabilitation of areas ravaged by Typhoon Frank.

Agriculture Undersecretary Jesus Emmanuel Paras said the money was released to the DA on Wednesday.

“We have already started with seed distribution in the affected areas,” said Paras in a telephone interview.

Paras said the DA purchased 10,000 50-kilogram bags of palay seeds which will be distributed to areas affected by Typhoon Frank.

Under the rehabilitation plan for corn and palay, the DA will extend subsidies for certified and good seeds, inorganic fertilizer and Bio-N, or microbial inoculants, and transport and hauling support for farmers tilling croplands with no chance of recovery.

The fisheries component of the relief plan will include a fry/fingerling dispersal program; handout of fishing gear like payaos, bancas, fish traps, fish corrals and gillnets; replacement of buoys and markers in fish sanctuaries; and the repair of damaged facilities of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

For the high-value commercial crop subsector, the plan will provide for subsidies for seeds, tissue-cultured plantlets or other planting materials for vegetable, banana and mango growers in completely damaged areas, plus the intensified implementation of technology-transfer programs to encourage the off-season production of these high-value crops.

Subsidies for feed assistance to backyard swine raisers, a native chicken-dispersal project, animal health programs and laboratory services will also be included in the rehabilitation plan for livestock and poultry growers.

Aside from extending aid to farmers and fishermen, the DA will also need funds to repair damaged irrigation facilities servicing 50,000 hectares.

Typhoon Frank caused P7.5-billion damage to the local farm sector. Among all regions, Western Visayas was heavily battered by the typhoon, with damages reaching more than P3 billion.

Meanwhile, total palay losses reached P800 million as 25,714 metric tons of crops in 94,203 hectares were damaged.

DBM releases P833M to DA for rehab of typhoon-stricken areas

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already released P833 million to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the rehabilitation of areas ravaged by Typhoon Frank.

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