Eastern Visayas, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported substantial damage to agricultural commodities in Eastern Visayas due to flooding caused by the shear line, amounting to PHP47.3 million.
According to Philippines News Agency, The DA, in a statement released Thursday, detailed the impact on rice, high-value crops, root crops, bananas, and livestock across 11 municipalities in the region. The affected areas include parts of Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar. A total of 1,877 farmers and 2,604 individuals have been impacted, with damage spanning 1,941 hectares of farmland. Northern Samar reported the highest damage in rice cultivation, affecting over 1,700 hectares and 1,727 farmers. The department noted that the current flooding would disrupt the usual planting calendar, possibly delaying the peak planting season and the first quarter's target production for palay. The DA emphasized the need for modifications in the planting schedule to accommodate rehabilitation efforts in the wake of the disaster.