Wednesday, July 18, 2007 Speedy submission of typhoon damages on farms sought By Jane Cadalig
TO GUARANTEE quick response and solution to any disaster-related damages that would be incurred by farmers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office was instructed to submit immediate reports to the agency's central office.
DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief for Cordillera Patricio Ananayo said Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has given specific instructions to the regional office to immediately update the main office regarding typhoon-related damages for speedy release of assistance.
"The secretary wants immediate updates on typhoon damages for speedy solution. In fact, we have been instructed to conduct advanced coordination with local government units to identify hazard-prone areas," Ananayo said.
Typhoons are among the natural disasters that affect the local agriculture industry and often cause millions worth of damages among the farmers. Landslides that occur in most national roads in the region during typhoons affect the supply of agricultural commodities in the market, which often leads to the skyrocketing of prices.
Ananayo said the agency is fast-tracking the completion of all infrastructure projects for agriculture such as farm-to-market roads and establishment of tramlines and opening of new roads, in time for the onset of the rainy season.
These projects were committed to assure continuous supply of vegetables to the market to avoid unnecessary skyrocketing of prices. Consumers in Metro Manila and other lowland provinces complain on high prices of vegetables whenever typhoons hit the country. The increase in prices of vegetables usually occurs when thoroughfares, particularly in Benguet and Mountain Province, are closed down due to landslides.
Yap, during an earlier meeting with Benguet mayors, vowed to provide pay loaders to stand by along Halsema Highway during typhoons to assure that the national road is open for a 24-hour delivery of vegetables to end markets.
Recently, the DA main office allotted P20 million to each regional office to serve as "stand-by" funds for any disaster-related damages in the agriculture industry.
The regional offices could release the fund without needing the prior approval of the DA secretary once reports of damages are submitted.
