Filipino farmers in Albay have incurred losses amounting to P165.54 million due to the eruption of Mayon Volcano, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said in a report released on Tuesday.
“As of January 30, the damages and losses to the agriculture sector brought about by the activity of Mayon Volcano is now at P165.54 million, affecting a total of 8,138 hectares of agricultural areas in the province of Albay,” the DA said.
The DA pegged the production loss at 36,023 metric tons (MT). Crops damaged were rice, corn, high value crops and fiber crops. Mayon’s activity also affected at least 8,294 farmers.
“Rice contributed the largest share of the production losses at 82.45 percent, or P139.79 million,” the DA report read.
“The affected area of 6,380 hectares is equivalent to 61.35 percent of the total standing crop of 10,399 hectares. The losses were due to the effect of ash fall to the leaves and tillers of newly planted rice crops,” it added.
The DA said Mayon Volcano eruptions affected some 4,253 rice farmers in the municipalities of Santo Domingo, Malilipot, Legazpi City, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Polangui and Oas.
Damage to high value crops has reached P20.89 million, affecting a total area of 1,049 hectares, with an estimated volume loss of about 36,032 MT, according to the DA.
“Affected vegetable crops are ampalaya, baguio beans, eggplant, okra, pole sitao, sayote, sili, tomato and upo, which are on their fruiting stage,” the report read. “Moreover, losses on high value crops contribute to 12.62 percent of the total production losses reported.”
Some 773 corn farmers in Albay have incurred losses amounting to P4.378 million, according to the DA. “Damage to corn has contributed to 2.65 percent of the total production losses affecting 708 hectares of corn at seedling and vegetative growth stages.”
The DA said farmers planting fiber crops, particularly abaca, have registered production losses amounting to P478,000. The DA added that the estimated volume loss was pegged at 6 MT planted in 99 hectares.
Government aid
The National Food Authority (NFA) said it has released about 13,456 bags of rice to various local government units (LGUs) and agencies as part of their relief operations for the victims of the eruption of Mayon Volcano.
In a statement, NFA Administrator Jason L.Y. Aquino said the food agency’s field offices in Region 5 are closely coordinating with concerned LGUs, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Office of Civil Defense to ensure that the rice requirements of the evacuees are met.
“We have a standing memorandum of agreement with relief agencies, such as the DSWD, Office of Civil Defense and LGUs for the supply of their rice requirements for relief operations during natural disasters, calamities and other emergencies,” Aquino said.
As of January 29, the NFA said the provincial government of Albay received the biggest volume at 3,300 bags. It was followed by the Legazpi City government, which received 2,686 bags.
The NFA added that they gave 1,700 bags of rice to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, while 1,600 bags were released to the Office of Congressman Joey Salceda.
The NFA said it also released bags of rice to the Office of Vice President, Department of Public Works and Highways and various lawmakers and LGUs affected by the eruptions by Mayon Volcano.
“Our operations center is open 24-hours to monitor the situation in the area and provide quick response to queries and accommodate LGUs, relief agencies and other institutions withdrawing their rice purchases for distribution to affected families,” said Aquino.
Image credits: AP/Bogie Calupitan