Report and Disseminate the Information Regarding

the Serious Disaster

Tropical Cyclone MEGI (Agaton) in Philippines

April 2022

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Republic of the Philippines; Department of Agriculture (DA)

References:  https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172312

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/04/17/news/national/agaton-damage-piles-up/1840259

https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/dswd-sends-aid-lgus-hit-agaton

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1551366/odette-damage-to-agriculture-infra-hits-p47b

               According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the affected areas caused by Tropical Storm "Agaton" (international name: "Megi") were Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCCSKSARGEN and Caraga. As of the latest bulletin from DA, 17,925 hectares of agricultural lands have been reportedly damaged which amounted to P725.2 million in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Agaton’s onslaught.

             As of Monday 18 April 2022, 16 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity including Sara, Lemery, and Passi in Iloilo; Cateel, Davao Oriental; Trento, Agusan del Sur; and Compostela, Laak, Mabini, Maco, Maragusan, Mawab, Monkayo, Montevista, Nabunturan, New Bataan, and Pantukan in Davao de Oro according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The latest bulletin showed that it has affected 19,424 farmers thus far, particularly in Western and Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and Caraga, with 17,925 hectares of agricultural lands damaged.

             This equates to 41,580 metric tons of total volume loss, with rice production worst hit, reaching 92.68 percent or 40,122 metric tons of loss, amounting to PHP672.2 million. Moreover, loss to high-value crop production was estimated at PHP24.7 million; loss to corn production at PHP21.1 million; and loss to livestock and poultry, including chicken, swine, carabao, duck, and goat, at PHP7.2 million. The figures are still subject to validation, as “additional damage and losses are expected” in Agaton-hit areas, according to the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operation Center.

          The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public that it has sufficient resources for its disaster response operations. The DSWD maintains stockpiles and standby funds amounting to more than PHP1.22 billion. Of the amount, around PHP146 million is the available standby funds of the Central Office and the Field Offices.

           The number of individuals affected by Tropical Storm "Agaton" has reached 1,596,337, or 427,379 families as of Friday evening, the DSWD reported. More individuals were also recorded staying in evacuation centers — 227,459 of the 1.5 million people affected — compared to Thursday's tally of 213,779. The DSWD said that to date, 17 April 2022, it has released PHP40,871,020.48 worth of aid to areas affected by Agaton. The Department, through its concerned FOs, is closely coordinating with concerned LGUs to monitor the situation of affected families.

             There is no reported assistance or help from other countries’ government from outside the Philippines. However, the DA assured affected farmers of aid readily available including the provision of “rice, corn, and assorted vegetables seeds; drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry; Survival and Recovery Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council; indemnification fund under Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation; and access to Quick Response Fund for rehabilitation.”

            Before Tropical Storm Agaton occurred, Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) battered the Visayas, Mindanao, and parts of Luzon in December 2021. Damage to agriculture and infrastructure has ballooned to over PHP47 billion. Extensive damage to agriculture was recorded in Western Visayas, Mimaropa, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

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