Early harvest by farmers saved P17.53 billion worth of rice and corn crops from flooding and strong winds caused by Typhoon Rolly, according to the Department of Agriculture.
The Department of Agriculture said in its latest report around 242,638 hectares of rice were saved from Regions I, II, III, IV-A and V with an equivalent production of 1,071,344 metric tons amounting to P16.96 billion.
Corn harvests amounted to P579 million from a total of 11,132 hectares in Regions I, II, V and VIII. Total volume of corn saved amounted to 45,703 MT, according to the DA.
The agency said it was closely coordinating with non-government organizations, local government units and other disaster risk reduction-related offices on the impact of the storm and for the provision of available resources for interventions and assistance.
It said it syncrhonized movements with water management-related agencies for flood risk monitoring and dam water release and closely monitored possible damage and losses that may be incurred in the agri-fisheries sector.
The DA said it prepared the following provisions for affected farmers: 133,326 bags of rice seeds; 17,545 bags of corn seeds; 1,980 kgs of assorted vegetables; and drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry.
It also prepared P400 million for the quick response fund to help farmers rehabilitate damaged areas affected by the typhoon and financial assiatance through the SURE (survival and recovery) loan program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council.
The DA also assured farmers of indemnification fund from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. to pay for crops losses.
Typhoon Rolly is forecast to exit the Luzon landmass and emerge over the Philippine Sea early Monday morning. During its traverse of Southern Luzon, the typhoon is forecast to slightly weaken but will emerge as a typhoon over the West Philippine Sea.
It was expected to bring heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Bicol Region, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Marinduque, Romblon, Mindoro Provinces, Bataan, Bulacan, Aurora and the eastern portions of mainland Cagayan and Isabela.
Meanwhile, tropical storm Atasani is forecast to move generally northwestward until Monday evening, then slowly west-southwestward by Tuesday.
It had yet to affect any portion of the country.