Agricultural damage from tropical cyclones “Tino” and “Uwan” climbed to P4.13 billion as of Saturday, based on the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) latest assessment.
The combined storms affected 84,357 farmers and fisherfolk, with production losses reaching 19.15 million metric tons across 43,882 hectares of farmland.
For “Tino” alone, the DA’s regional offices in CALABARZON, Mimaropa, Western, Eastern and Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and Caraga reported P968.16 million worth of damage and losses.
Farmers affected, crops damaged
The storm affected 49,927 farmers and resulted in the loss of 37,741 metric tons of rice, corn, high-value crops, cassava, coconut, and fisheries output. It also damaged livestock, poultry, agricultural infrastructure, and farm machinery across 17,886 hectares. The DA said the figures remain subject to validation.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a separate statement on Saturday that the sector could face billions of pesos in losses from the two cyclones, with Catanduanes hardest hit by super typhoon “Uwan.”
“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.
“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 added.
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. has earmarked P251 million to compensate insured farmers for Tino-related losses and is now assessing damages from “Uwan” to provide additional claims.
QR Fund, SURE Loan program activated
Meanwhile, the DA activated its Quick Response Fund and the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program, which offers low-interest loans of up to P25,000 per farmer. 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, Tiu Laurel said the country is expected to start 2026 with sufficient rice stocks to cover 70 days, assuming no major weather disruptions.
He noted that supplies would improve further when the import ban is lifted at the end of December.
Slow down in current quarter
Agriculture growth, which rose 2.8 percent in the third quarter, may slow in the current quarter due to the cyclones’ impact on corn, rice, and high-value crops such as fruits and vegetables, the secretary said.
To mitigate future climate risks, the DA is building post-harvest facilities including silos and cold storage, which are expected to be operational by next year, to maintain food buffer stocks and extend the shelf life of agricultural commodities.