ANTIQUE – Though not directly hit by Typhoon Betty, enhanced monsoon rains caused P5.6-million damage to the province’s agriculture.
Nicolasito Calawag, head of the Provincial Agriculture Office, said the typhoon destroyed rice and corn crops in the municipalities of Tibiao, Hamtic, and Bugasong. He said the total cost of damage amounted to P5,633,067.
The damage accounted for 201.75 hectares of rice lands and affected the livelihood of 257 farmers.
Of this, 181.75 hectares suffered varying degrees of damage, while the remaining 20 hectares have been completely destroyed.
The estimated cost of the damage for these farmers alone is P4,906,887.
The affected rice crops were at crucial stages, including seedling, reproductive, vegetative, and maturity, with the latter slated for harvesting in June.
Meanwhile, 13 corn farmers from Hamtic and Tibiao have also fallen victim to Typhoon Betty.
Approximately 10.55 hectares of cornfields endured significant damage, amounting to an estimated loss of P726,180.
The affected corn crops were at the maturity stage and were scheduled for harvesting this June.
Calawag emphasized the importance of registration in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBA) and urged farmers to avail themselves of insurance coverage.
“Kung ang farmers registered sa RSBA, insured sanda kara. Insurance kara mabayad sa mga damages da kag may record man kami kara kung sin-o ang nag tanom,” Calawag stated, highlighting the potential support available to those who have suffered losses.(With a report from the Antique Provincial Government)/PN
