Monsoon, four cyclones inflict P4.38-B farm damage across Philippines

MANILA — The combined onslaught of the enhanced southwest monsoon and four tropical cyclones has ravaged Philippine agricultural production, leaving P4.38 billion in damage in its wake, according to the Department of Agriculture's final assessment released Tuesday.

Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng, and Pilandok, coupled with the intensified habagat or southwest monsoon, created a prolonged period of severe weather that devastated farms and fishing communities nationwide. The weather systems affected the livelihoods of 99,663 farmers and fisherfolk across multiple regions.

The Department of Agriculture's final bulletin documented the extent of agricultural losses, which encompassed crop destruction, livestock mortality, and damage to fishing infrastructure. The successive nature of the weather disturbances prevented farmers from adequately recovering between storms, compounding the sector's losses.

The significant financial impact underscores the vulnerability of Philippine agriculture to extreme weather events and the challenges facing rural communities dependent on farming and fishing for survival. Agricultural officials are expected to coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts to assist affected farmers and fisherfolk in recovery efforts.