By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Amid the scorching heat of El Niño which agricultural damage already reached P1.75 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the leadership of Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel has extended a total of P379.06 million in assistance to affected farmers.
The DA disclosed that more than 29,000 farmers have been affected in eight regions, including badly hit MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) of Region 4.
It was gathered that financial assistance from the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program has been given to 71,795 farmers in MIMAROPA, with a total amount of P 362.56 million.
Based on the DA’s El Niño Bulletin 5, the most affected commodity is rice, with damage reaching P1.13 billion.
This is followed by corn, high-value crops, and livestock.
(el Amigo/MNM)
