DA, DOLE unite to rehabilitate typhoon-hit abaca farms
Abaca fiber is extracted from the stems of the banana plant using a decorticator. DLPC’s technology turns the fiber into composites that can replace up to 40 percent of conventional plastics in various products.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF DA
The Department of Agriculture (DA), together with its agency Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), will be teaming up for the faster rehabilitation of the country’s top producers of abaca in the Bicol region following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan.
According to PhilFIDA’s most recent crop damage report, 35,699 hectares were severely destroyed, 18,097 hectares were moderately damaged, and 1,402 hectares were marginally damaged.
In a statement released by the DA Wednesday morning, they underscored that “the typhoon wiped out an estimated 7,492.90 metric tons of fiber valued at more than P38 million.”
The agency also described the situation as a “crushing setback” for farmers who are still recovering from the destruction brought by last year’s Typhoons Pepito and Kristine.
In line with the agency’s report, more than 56,000 hectares of abaca fields and 24,000 growers rely on the crop for revenue.
As per DA-PhilFIDA, approximately one-third of the country’s abaca production came from Bicol last year, with Catanduanes alone producing 82 percent.
DOLE’s role
Through the DOLE Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) cash-for-work scheme, 23,619 farmers will be deployed to remove trash, clip damaged stalks, restore living plants, and replace badly damaged or uprooted abaca.
The work is priced at P3,000 per hectare for farms with minor damage, P5,000 for farms with moderate damage, and P10,000 for farms with significant damage.
DA-PhilFIDA, on the other hand, will rely on their technicians who will lead the documentation of conditions, mapping of damaged sites, and verification of the extent of losses.