MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Department of Agriculture (DA) has deployed emergency aid and farm inputs to help farmers and fisherfolk recover from Typhoons Tino and Uwan, which struck the country just days apart, causing extensive damage across key agricultural areas.

The DA chief estimated that the sector’s losses could reach several billion pesos, with Super Typhoon Uwan alone causing around P1 billion in damage to abaca, coconut, and fisheries in Catanduanes.

“For abaca alone, the damage in Catanduanes is nearly P700 million. Coconut plantations were almost wiped out—it (situation) is not good. We’re still assessing, these are preliminary figures, but I would assume that the total impact of both storms could reach P1 billion to P2 billion,” Tiu Laurel said.

Secretary Tiu Laurel accompanied President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on a visit to Catanduanes on Thursday to assess the situation firsthand.

He assured that post-typhoon assistance is already in place, including low-interest recovery loans, insurance indemnification, financial and fuel aid, and farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, fingerlings, boats, and fishing gear.

“We have already deployed these assistance packages and inputs. We’re just waiting for the floods to recede and debris to be cleared so that those who can may immediately replant. Our crop insurance and credit groups are also in the field to provide funds so that farmers and fisherfolk can restart their livelihoods as soon as possible,” he said.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has earmarked P251 million to compensate insured farmers for losses caused by Typhoon Tino and is now assessing damages from Uwan. The DA has also activated its Quick Response Fund and Survival and Recovery Loan Program, offering low-interest five-year loans of up to P25,000. The Department of Budget and Management has released P1 billion to replenish the QRF.

Despite damage to rice-producing provinces such as Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and La Union, Secretary Tiu Laurel said the country is expected to start 2026 with enough rice supply to cover 70 days, barring any major weather disturbances. Stocks are expected to improve once the import ban lifts at the end of December.

Agricultural growth, which rose 2.8 percent in the third quarter, may slow this quarter due to the cyclones’ impact on corn, rice, and high-value crops like fruits and vegetables.

On preparations for climate change, Tiu Laurel said post-harvest facilities such as silos and cold storage facilities are being built and should be ready by next year to maintain adequate food buffer stocks and extend the shelf life of agricultural products.