Storm-affected farmers receive free rice seeds

By Mhars B. Lihgawon

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Farmers in this municipality affected by typhoons Pedring and Quiel received free certified rice seeds from the government last week.

According to Elizabeth Bulayo of the Municipal Agriculture Office, about 863 rice farmers were given various kilos of certified rice seeds as calamity assistance from the Department of Agriculture and the local government of Lagawe.

The sacks of certified rice were delivered by the DA for distribution to the farmers in the municipality based on actual damages.

“The number of kilos given to beneficiaries were not the same since we based from the submitted actual damages incurred by each farmer,” Bulayo explained.

She said that different barangays submitted lists of farmers affected by the twin typhoons that badly affected the province in September, for verification to ensure the actual beneficiaries.

The municipality of Lagawe incurred a total of P37,414,650 worth of damages to agriculture that covered 1,378.9 hectares. For livestock, she said that about 187 heads worth P.82 million were also affected by the twin typhoons.