𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗖𝗞 𝗢𝗨𝗧: 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 ₱𝟭𝟱𝟵-𝗠 𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗛 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 — 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝟲,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴

Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) has delivered a brutal blow to the country’s food supply chain, leaving ₱159.14 million in agricultural damage across Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Northern Mindanao, and the Western, Eastern, and Central Visayas, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Saturday. With 5,982 hectares of farmland swamped and 6,578 metric tons of crops wiped out, nearly 6,000 farmers have been pushed to the edge — and the numbers are still climbing as several areas remain underwater.

The worst-hit sector is rice: 3,006 hectares damaged (28% totally lost), wiping out 5,542 MT of palay valued at ₱125.53 million. High-value crops followed with ₱21.25 million in losses from 679 MT over 174 hectares, while corn producers suffered ₱10.23 million in damage across 362 hectares and 320 MT lost. The DA notes that Central Visayas, where destruction was most severe — especially in Cebu — has yet to submit its full report.

Typhoon Tino’s overall human toll continues to rise as the Office of Civil Defense confirms 204 deaths and over 100 people still missing, even as the storm has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility. In response, the DA is rolling out relief: over ₱200 million in agricultural inputs and livestock feed, ₱237 million from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. for indemnification, and ₱22 million under the ACPC’s SURE loan program offering up to ₱25,000, zero interest, payable over three years. The NFA has also deployed 2.6 million bags of rice stocks to LGUs and relief agencies.

With Typhoon Uwan expected to intensify into a super typhoon within hours, the DA has activated its DRRM operations center, issued technical advisories, and begun monitoring commodity prices and supply movement. The sector is bracing for another round — even as it struggles to stand from the last hit.

Image from Context.PH