The Department of Agriculture is ready to distribute needed assistance to farmers affected by Typhoon Karding, which destroyed properties and livelihood in various parts of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and Bicol Region.

Aside from rice seeds, corn seeds and vegetable planting products, DA will distribute necessary drugs and medicines to enable the livestock and poultry sector recover from its loss.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will likewise disperse fingerlings and fishing paraphernalia to help small fishers bounce back from their loss.

As of September 26, 5:00 PM, an initial P160 million in agricultural damages has been reported, which translates to production loss of 7,457 metric tons of rice, corn, high value crops and fisheries.

To kickoff immediate rehabilitation of affected areas, DA will be using the P500M Quick Response Fund. It has also set aside financial assistance, which may be accessed under the Survival and Recovery Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council.

Following the declaration of a state of calamity in Nueva Ecija, an automatic prize freeze will also be enforced.

As such national government agencies warned traders to comply with RA 7851 (Price Act), which seeks to stabilize the price and supply of basic necessities and prime commodities.

Under the law, there will be no movement in the prices of essential produce including rice, corn, eggs, pork, beef, and poultry meat. ### (Adora D. Rodriguez, DA-AFID)