11,534 bags of certified seeds ready for distribution to flood affected farmers in Eastern Visayas, DA-8 says

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
December 29, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  A total of 11,534 bags of Certified Seeds (CS) under the Department of Agriculture’s Seed Buffer Stocking Program are ready for positioning and distribution as assistance to farmers who were affected by the recent flooding in the region, if and when necessary.

DA-8 Regional Executive Director Antonio Gerundio informed that due to the heavy rains and flooding that occurred recently, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Unit-8 through Regional Executive Director Antonio G. Gerundio ordered immediate monitoring of the situation, particularly the flood-prone areas in the region that may be affected by the continuous rains brought by the low pressure area (LPA).

As of 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon of December 27, several barangays in the First District of Leyte, specifically in the Municipalities of Tanauan and Palo were already flooded. Same is true with some areas of Sta. Fe, Alang-alang and Carigara, but the flood subsequently started to subside on the same day. Rice crops in the said municipalities are mostly at seedlings stage and some areas are still on land preparation stage.

For the second district of Leyte, several barangays in the municipalities of Mayorga, MacArthur and Dulag were reported flooded. Based on a separate report, as of 11:00 o’clock in the morning of December 28, a total rice area of 565 hectares has been affected which could result to an estimated production loss of about 670.93 metric tons or a money value of P291,092.40.

Flooding of rice crops, mostly at seedling or newly transplanted stage was also reported in Kananga, Leyte.

Several areas in the municipalities of Abuyog and Javier were also flooded. Based on the initial report received, around 200 hectares of rice fields in Abuyog are still submerged in floodwaters.

Slight flooding was also observed in some rice areas in the province of Eastern Samar. Initial assessment showed negligible damage to rice crops since the floodwaters subsided immediately.

The DA-8 office is currently gathering further information from the remaining municipalities and provinces. Agricultural Program Coordinating Officers (APCOs) of the department are conducting field assessment and validation in their respective province/district.