THE Department of Agriculture said that Typhoon "Nina's" damage on agriculture and fisheries has reached to at least P4 billion.
In the initial damage report, the DA said that a total of 65,247 hectares of agricultural areas with an estimated volume of production loss of 268,355 metric tons and a total of 66,963 farmers were affected.
The figures were based on the report of the Regional Field Offices Calabarzon and Bicol Region.
The commodities affected were rice (P2.368 billion), corn (P312.9 million), and high value crops (P1.255 billion).
The fisheries sector in the Bicol Region reported an estimated loss of P41.36 million affecting mostly infrastructure facilities such as fishing boats, fish cages and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional office, the DA said.
The department said it expects additional reports from the field.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said specifically Nina damaged 85 percent of the standing abaca plant in Catanduanes province, which has 33,000 hectares planted to abaca and is considered the biggest single producer of the natural fiber in the world today.
He said the government has earmarked P55 million to be used for the immediate rehabilitation of the abaca industry in Catanduanes, the release of rice seeds and fertilizers for about 5,000 hectares of rice land, and repair of fisheries infrastructure damaged by the typhoon.
Pinol accompanied President Rodrigo Duterte during his visit in typhoon-hit Camarines Sur on Tuesday. (SDR/Sunnex)