By Kenneth Marcos 
Rice fields flooded, fish ponds washed out — farmers and fisherfolk across Luzon are now counting losses after days of heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon and back-to-back storms “Mirasol” and “Nando.”
To support those affected, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday announced a wide range of assistance, including free seeds, fingerlings, loans, and rice supplies, to help rural communities recover.
Heavy Rains Impact Livelihoods
The rains started pouring early September and worsened over the past week due to the combined effects of two tropical cyclones. Low-lying rice fields in Central Luzon, Northern Luzon, and parts of Southern Tagalog were submerged, while strong currents damaged fish pens and swept away livestock in some areas.
“Every day of lost harvest is a lost income,” said one farmer in Nueva Ecija, who reported knee-deep water in his newly planted rice field. “We just planted last week, now we have to start all over again.”
The Department of Agriculture estimates that thousands of farmers and fisherfolk have been affected, prompting the immediate rollout of support.
What the Government Is Giving
Here’s what the DA is currently providing to affected agricultural workers:
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Seeds for replanting: 142,219 bags of palay (rice) seeds, 90,320 bags of corn seeds, and 40,518 kilograms of vegetable seeds are ready for distribution to farmers whose crops were damaged or washed away.
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Fingerlings for restocking: Over 1.65 million pieces of tilapia, bangus (milkfish), and carp fingerlings will be given to fisherfolk whose ponds or cages were destroyed.
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Support for livestock and poultry: The DA will provide medicines and biologicals to treat sick or injured animals.
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Relief rice stocks: Around 2.44 million bags of rice from the National Food Authority are now available for release to local governments and relief groups to help food-insecure families.
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Zero-interest loans: Affected farmers and fishers can borrow up to ₱25,000 under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC). The loan is payable in 3 years with no interest.
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Crop insurance claims: Those enrolled under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) will be indemnified for losses, depending on the level of damage reported.
Continuous Monitoring and Updates
The DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center continues to monitor the situation and coordinate response efforts with local governments. Farmers and fisherfolk are encouraged to report damages and seek assistance through their LGUs or contact the DA directly via (02) 8929-0140.
In recent years, climate-related disasters have become more frequent and intense, putting even more pressure on the country’s food supply chain. The Department of Agriculture has been urging local governments and communities to prioritize climate-resilient farming, crop insurance enrollment, and early preparedness.
As recovery begins, the DA reminds beneficiaries to cooperate with their municipal agriculture offices for proper validation and faster delivery of aid.
Helping Hands in Tough Times
The storms may have passed, but the road to recovery is just beginning for many rural communities. With timely government support and the resilience of Filipino farmers and fishers, the hope is to bring their livelihoods back on track — and food back to our tables.
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