Davao city: The Department of Agriculture (DA) 11's (Davao Region) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Unit reported significant agricultural damage amounting to PHP942.4 million, caused by a shear line affecting the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, initial validation from the DA-11 DRRM Unit revealed that the shear line has severely impacted various agricultural commodities and infrastructure in the area. Joedel Leliza, the DA-11 DRRM focal person, indicated that the disturbance has affected rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, livestock, and agricultural infrastructure.
The natural event has impacted 14,102 farmers, spanning 9,405.96 hectares of agricultural land, with production losses estimated at 36,587.29 metric tons. Leliza mentioned that initial interventions are underway, utilizing buffer stocks of rice, corn, vegetable seeds, animal drugs, and biologics to mitigate the impact.
Further damages are anticipated as ongoing assessments and validations continue in the affected provinces. Leliza assured that DA-11 is conducting field validation and rapid damage assessments in areas afflicted by shear line-induced continuous rains, flooding, and landslides.
The agency is working in close collaboration with national government agencies, local government units, irrigators' associations, and other DRRM-related offices. This coordination aims to address impacts such as flooding in agricultural areas, crop and infrastructure damage, potential production losses, and possible disruptions to the local food supply chain.
Leliza also stated that quick response funds have been requested from the central office. Meetings with congressmen and governors are in progress to explore potential counterpart support for affected farmers. DA-11 will continue to provide updates on the situation in the Davao Region.