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MANILA - Despite heavy rains that spawned widespread flooding, Philippine farm-sector output in the third quarter will sustain minimal losses, according to the Department of Agriculture.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala on Thursday told reporters that majority of the rice-producing provinces that took a hit from two consecutive typhoons and monsoon rains were done harvesting.
“Only those in Pampanga and Bulacan have reported damage, majority of which are still in vegetative stage, so we can still recover once the floods subside,” Alcala said on the sidelines of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Bureau of Agricultural Research.
He said areas subject to advance cropping in Central Luzon likewise were spared.
“In fact, the damage is still within our buffer for this year, so it will not affect our projections,” he said.
Alcala said he already instructed DA regional field units to conduct a survey for the quick turnaround program, which aims to provide affected farmers with free certified seeds.
“We are not worried about the monsoon rains, we are more worried with the winds that may inflict damage to standing crops,” the DA chief said.
In its report as of August 8, the DA said damage to the agriculture sector rose to P 167.90 million, covering production losses from rice, corn, high value crops, livestock and fisheries, as well as infrastructure.
Alcala said field units will continue to gather reports of damages in close coordination with local government units.
“Validation will be done as soon as the flood subsides and roads are already passable,” he said.
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