The Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR) turned over 720 rolls of UV-treated plastic sheets worth P8.28M to the Province of Benguet during the rollout of the KADIWA ng Pangulo on July 17, 2023 in La Trinidad, Benguet. This is under the Rehabilitation and Recovery program for farmers affected by Typhoon Paeng, in a bid to aid farmers in Benguet producing high-value crops who were directly affected by the said typhoon last year.
Aside from the initial provisions already given, fertilizers, seeds, soil ameliorants, HDPE hose and livestock will also be provided to rice, corn, high-value crops, and livestock farmers greatly affected by typhoon Paeng in the region, amounting to a total of P69 million under the quick response fund.
Based on the crop damage report by the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAgO) of Benguet, there are 8,810 affected farmers, 1,501 hectare affected production areas, and 11,573 trees damaged, incurring total damages to more than P115 million.
The municipalities of Atok and Buguias took the blow, as they have been affected most in terms of number of farmers, hectares of production area, and damage and losses. Meanwhile, Kabayan was also affected in terms of the number of farmers and areas affected, while Mankayan also incurred more damages.
Tropical cyclone Paeng significantly destructs the highland vegetable industry in Benguet including production facilities with a total value of P94.6 million. Rice and facilities have also suffered from the disaster.
PAgO Benguet remarked that recipients of the plastic sheets provision should not have been beneficiaries of the financial assistance given by the PLGU, have not received any assistance from other agencies, and must be in the list of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). By CEWaytan
