BAGUIO CITY – As of November 2, an initial report of P 2,241,276,844.75 worth of damages was recorded in the agricultural sector in the region caused by Supertyphoon Lawin.
Abra had the highest damage amounting to P 683,331,966.53 followed by Kalinga with P 614,743,181.65 and Apayao with P 424, 163,437.50.
Aside from the ravaged areas of corn, rice, highland value crops, cassava, and livestock in the provinces, some of the municipalities of Apayao and Kalinga are still semi-isolated; some of the roads are passable but unsafe and several communities have no current and communication access.
Lawin devastated farmers in the provinces of the Cordillera where farming is still the major livelihood. Most of the farmers said that it was their first time to experience the kind of damage they are suffering now.
Farmers appealed for assistance from the government for them to start anew.
“Tumulong kuma ti gobyerno para dagijy agbasa nga anak ko ta kunak nga agsardeng dan sa, panpanunutek paylang nu kasanu ngem manangaasi met siguro ti namarsua, nu umasideg ka kenkuana, isu na ladtan pangkaptak” (We appeal for government help and assistance, so we can support our families and children to continue going to school. We are praying that God will help us.) Clarima Pilig, farmer mother of 11 children, of Aurora, Pudtol, Apayao and an owner of 10,000 banana trees damaged by Lawin, said.
Meantime, consumers also suffer the aftermath of super typhoon Lawin with increased prices in vegetables and other agricultural commodities.
The Department of Agriculture – Cordillera conducted field validation of the damages brought by typhoon Lawin in the different provinces of the region last October 24-28.
The final consolidated damage report will be the basis of the rehabilitation plan of the department to help the farmers with their losses.
By Mendoza Dayao