The country’s agriculture sector had so far lost as much as P16 billion worth of 2019’s total farm output to El Niño and several typhoons, with the last minute damages incurred in December alone prompting Agriculture Secretary William Dar to lower his year-end growth forecast for the sector. Combined, both wiped out nearly P7 billion worth of agriculture products like rice, corn, and high-value crops as well as fisheries production. According to him, fisheries recorded the most damage in terms of commodities affected by the typhoon at P1.58 billion. In total, the volume of production loss on rice, corn, high value crops, livestock, and fisheries is now at 39,461 MT, affecting 30,705 hectares and 84,306 farmers and fisherfolk across MIMAROPA, Bicol, and in Eastern, Western, and Central Visayas.

Miraflor, M. B. (2020, January 4). DA lowers year-end growth forecast as typhoons, El Niño wipe out ₱16-B in total farm output. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 6.