Flash floods caused by the southwest monsoon in Ifugao have damaged P14.6 million in rice and other high-value crops, resulting in 728 metric tons of lost production, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Sunday.
About 684 farmers were affected and 198 hectares of agricultural area were damaged, the department added.
The DA assured consumers of a stable supply of highland vegetables despite the heavy rains up north.
There, the DA will distribute assistance packages to the affected farmers, including rice, corn, and assorted vegetable seeds; drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry; financial assistance under the Survival and Recovery Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council.
Farmers will also receive indemnity from damaged crops from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. and cash support from the Quick Response Fund for the rehabilitation of affected areas.
At the onset of the southwest monsoon, the DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operation Center advised farmers to harvest mature crops and make use of post-harvest facilities, as well as secure seed reserves, planting materials, and other farm inputs, including feed and water for livestock.
It also recommended the relocation of animals, machinery, and equipment to higher ground, and urged the clearing of any obstruction from drainage and irrigation and rice paddies.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecast the build-up of a low-pressure area (LPA) 685 kilometers (km) Northeast of Surigao City or 690 km east of Virac, Catanduanes.
The southwest monsoon is also expected to affect the western section of the country, the weather bureau said.
Local police in Abucay, Bataan said a woman was killed after a landslide buried their house at the height of heavy rains.
Maj. Dennis Bautista Duran, Abucay police chief, identified the victim as Roselyn dela Cruz, 27, a caretaker of a resort in Abucay.
Duran said rescuers found the body of Dela Cruz under the mud that also buried a car following the landslide at 2 a.m. Saturday.
The victim’s father, who is residing in another house, called for help after he learned of the incident at around 7 a.m., he added.
Personnel of the Abucay Municipal Police Station, Bureau of Fire Protection, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Metro Bataan Development Authority, and the local government unit of Abucay led by Mayor Robin Tagle helped in the search and rescue operation.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) assured the public on Saturday that there is a sufficient supply of relief items for those affected by the flash floods that hit Banaue, Ifugao on Thursday.
In a social media post on Saturday, the DSWD-CAR said it has so far released around 1,500 family food packs amounting to P941,000.
Throughout the region, 27,121 family food packs have already been prepositioned, including over 14,000 food packs at the regional warehouse in Benguet ready for deployment.
In Ifugao alone, the DSWD-CAR said 2,608 family food packs have been prepositioned that can be released to the affected families and individuals.
The flash flood hit Banaue around 5 p.m. on July 7 and destroyed two houses and damaged 327 others in three barangays.
Arnel Garcia, regional director of the DSWD-CAR, said they continue to bring supplies to Ifugao to ensure that there will be food for the affected families.
The Police Regional Office on Saturday also said that policemen, soldiers, and members of the community are working hand in hand to clear the residences and roads of mud.