MANILA — Agricultural damage from tropical storms Crising, Dante, and Emong, along with the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), has reached P1.12 billion, with rice farms bearing the brunt of the losses, according to preliminary estimates from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a report to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro said the weather disturbances affected 45,408 farmers and fisherfolk and damaged 43,741 hectares of farmland, mostly rice fields.

Of the 41,189 hectares of rice lands affected, 32,445 hectares were partially damaged with recovery potential, while 8,744 hectares were totally lost. The estimated production loss in rice is 19,819 metric tons—roughly a third of the country’s daily consumption—amounting to P664.4 million.

High-value crops were damaged across 918 hectares, resulting in losses of 4,509 metric tons worth P162.2 million. Corn farms over 1,613 hectares reported losses amounting to P55.7 million. Meanwhile, the fisheries sector lost P202.4 million, affecting 1,436 fisherfolk.

“These numbers may still change as ground validation continues,” Navarro said. “This is an ongoing disaster, with two storms just starting to affect the country, at least one more forming at sea, and the impact of Habagat could still worsen.”

In response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to speed up recovery efforts, Navarro said the DA will immediately distribute P653 million worth of seeds, livestock, fingerlings, and other inputs.

The National Food Authority has released 43,136 bags of rice to Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, and Metro Manila, with Region 3 distributing the most through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The DA will also tap its Quick Response Fund to fast-track rehabilitation efforts, while the Agricultural Credit Policy Council has earmarked P400 million in zero-interest loans under its Survival and Recovery (SURE) program.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. estimates initial indemnification for 45,980 insured farmers at P268 million.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has instructed all DA agencies to work “double time” to assist affected communities. “More than just providing assistance, our goal is to help farmers and fisherfolk quickly return to normal,” he said.