The Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) has mobilized two units of KADIWA trucks loaded with three metric tons (MT) of assorted highland vegetables, dried fish, and other basic food items to deliver to the municipalities of San Quintin, Pidigan, Bangued, Tayum, Dolores, Lagangilang, and Bucay in the province of Abra, that was shaken by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on the morning of July 27.

The mobilization of KADIWA mobile stores are part of the efforts of the government to give affected families access to nutritious, safe and affordable food.

“The Department of Agriculture has prioritized food mobilization in these areas to help our kababayans through these trying times,” DA Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista said.

Based on initial estimates, damage related to agriculture amounts to P3.8 million covering affected infrastructures including farm to market roads, a diversion dam and communal irrigation systems.

The DA-CAR has also monitored the supply of highland vegetables at the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center, the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading post and other private trading centers.

“Based on the report, we have an inventory of about 1,175 MT of vegetables of different kind,” Evangelista said.     

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management (RDRRM) of DA-CAR reported temporary closures of 14 road sections due to soil collapse, rock slides, and crack along the road lines, as assessed by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

These include Kalinga, Ilocos Norte and Cervantes Roads in Abra; Kennon, Baguio-Bua-Itogon, and Dangwa National Road in Benguet; Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet boundary road in Ifugao; Mt. Province-Calanan-Pinukpuk-Abut Road, Kalinga-Abra, and Lubuanga-Batong Bahay-Abra Road in Kalinga; and Baguio-Bontoc, Mt. Province-Cagayan-Enrile, Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur (via Kayan), and Mt. Province- Ilocos Sur (via Tue Road) in Mt. Province.

According to the RDRRM team of DA-CAR, the road closures pose no significant effect to the delivery and transport of agriculture and fishery products to the trading areas in Metro Manila as local government units and concerned agencies have immediately responded and conducted clearing operations.

Supply and prices of agri commodities remain stable.

The DA, together with other national government agencies, will continue its regular coordination to assess further the situation in the affected areas. ### (Adora D. Rodriguez, DA-AFID)