Severe Tropical Storm Kristine will harm the country's total rice production as the Department of Agriculture (DA) awaits reports on the damage to the sector, according to Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. yesterday
"Unfortunately, the effects of La Niña, particularly Kristine, will harm our production while we are in the harvest season this rainy season. It is sad news that areas ready for harvest have been reported flooded ," Tiu Laurel said.
"Right now, we have to wait for the actual report to determine the damage and the interventions we need to take to help our farmers and fishermen recover quickly from the disaster," he added.
The DA reported that Kristine's initial damage to the agricultural sector has reached P9.75 million and is expected to expand further with the typhoon's impact on the Bicol region.
Damage and loss in Region 5 was reported in rice and corn covering 209 hectares of agricultural lands, with a production volume of 598 metric tons (MT) affecting at least 234 farmers.
The DA added that most of the damage was reported to rice production, which amounted to P9.6 million covering 203 hectares and with a production loss of 203 MT.
Corn damage was initially reported at P167,000 covering six hectares and with a production loss of 7.5 MT.
The Masagana Rice Industry Development Program expects a loss of 358,000 MT in this year's expected rice harvest of 19.41 million metric tons, down from last year's total due to drought caused by El Niño and increased rainfall due to La Niña .
15,000 saved
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered three bodies and rescued 15,000 people affected by Kristine's devastation.
"We found three bodies on October 23. They were trapped inside their homes. The bodies were properly handed over to their respective local governments," PCG spokesperson Commodore Algier Ricafrente told Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.
"Based on our latest data, the number of individuals rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard has reached more than 15,000, and this was done in cooperation with local government units," he added.
Many of those rescued were from Bicol and Batangas.
As of noon yesterday, the PCG monitored 6,843 passengers, truck drivers and shippers who were stranded in seven Coast Guard districts.
2,145 rolling cargoes, 107 vessels and 39 motorized boats were also stranded. While 293 vessels and 291 motorized boats covered as a precaution against bad weather.
Said by Ricafrente that the vessels will gradually be allowed to continue their journey hopefully today.
No work, no pay
Workers who choose not to report for work during the suspension of work due to inclement weather will not receive wages, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
But DOLE said employees should not have regular wages unless it is stipulated in a collective bargaining agreement or when employees are allowed to use accumulated leave credits. Those who report for work during disasters are entitled to regular wages for services rendered of at least six hours.
"If less than six hours of work, the employee is only entitled to the proportional amount of the regular wages, without prejudice to the existing policy or practice of the company that is more beneficial to the employees," DOLE said. .
Work in all courts in Luzon, including the Supreme Court (SC), Manila Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan and Tax Court, was suspended yesterday due to Kristine's rampage.
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo authorized the suspension of SC work through a memorandum issued by Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Maria Carina Matammu Cunanan.
The suspension of work is in line with the suspension of work in government offices and classes in both public and private schools in Luzon, according to Malacañang's announcement.
PRC humanitarian caravan
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will send a full humanitarian caravan to Camarines Sur and Albay, the provinces that were hit hardest by Kristine.
According to the PRC, relief trucks are being prepared to transport those
food and non-food items such as jerry cans, hygiene kits, sleeping kits and kitchen sets for thousands of families in evacuation centers.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is providing cash assistance for typhoon victims whose houses have been damaged.
Under the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program, DHSUD provides P30,000 cash assistance for totally damaged houses due to calamities and P10,000 for partially damaged ones.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced yesterday the agency's innovative methods of distributing relief goods for victims of disasters – through new water filtration kits and ready-to-eat (RTE) food packs.
The water filtration kit, which consists of a large pail with a hose and combined with a filter system, costs more than P2,000 each and can accommodate up to a maximum of 1,200 liters of clean, potable water.
Another notable innovation is the creation of ready-to-eat food packs. According to DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao, a box of RTE costs P600 to P700, which includes biscuits, arroz caldo, champorado and canned foods.
