Post-'Yolanda' rehab efforts reach majority of ravaged farms in E. Visayas - DA

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 29 (PNA) – More than half of Yolanda-stricken farms in Eastern Visayas have been covered by government-led recovery efforts in the past two years, a top regional agriculture official said.

Of the 406,000 hectares badly hit by the catastrophe in 2013, about 300,000 hectares have been covered by rehabilitation efforts of the Department of Agriculture.

“It is safe to say that about three-fourths of our affected farmers are on their way to rehabilitation because of recovery assistance,” Cañeda said.

In 2014, the DA regional office got an allocation of PHP502 million for post-Yolanda recovery. The 2015 allocation went down to PHP455 million, but the agriculture office here is still waiting for the release.

“We rely on regular funds intended for post-Yolanda rehabilitation while waiting for the release of 2015 allotment. Next year, we will get PHP160 million to finally put the rehabilitation programs to a close,” Cañeda added.

The government-led recovery assistance is on top of countless aid from non-government organization for the rehabilitation of Yolanda-hit farms.

“They are there to complement the recovery initiatives undertaken by the national government,” the official added. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO