January 10, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The amount of damage to agriculture caused by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros has reached P129.39 million, according to the Department of Agriculture.
Data from the DA’s operations center showed that rice, corn, high-value crops and livestock incurred most of the damage, covering 581 hectares of property.
The volcanic eruption has displaced up to 1,431 farmers.
The DA said 97 percent of the damage involved high-value crops with P124.93 million and 5,311 tons in production losses.
Meanwhile, the amount of damage to rice production reached P3.06 million, covering 124 hectares of farms and production losses of 91 tons.
Livestock and poultry incurred P900,100 in losses and corn, P403,3500, covering seven hectares of land.
“Additional damage and losses are expected as assessment is ongoing in areas affected by Kanlaon’s continuous activity,” the DA said.
The agency said at least 771 animal heads were evacuated in La Castellana and La Carlota City in Negros Occidental.
“Various forms of assistance, including agricultural inputs such as rice and corn seeds as well as drugs and biologics for livestock animals have been provided to farmers,” the DA said.
It said up to P1 billion in quick response fund could be tapped for the rehabilitation and recovery of areas destroyed by Kanlaon.
Affected farmers may avail themselves of loans offered under the survival and recovery program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council.
The DA said farmers covered by insurance will receive indemnification from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.
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